Governor Ivey Awards More Than $6.3 million in Community Development Block Grants

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday awarded more than $6.3 million in Community Development Block Grants to assist 26 Alabama towns, cities and counties in improving their communities.
Governor Ivey said the CDBG program enables communities to address needed projects that affect the health and welfare of residents.
“Lives will be improved today thanks to these projects funded through the Community Development Block Grant program,” Ivey said. “People who have been subject to impure water will get clean water to drink, bathe and wash. People who have been maneuvering unsafe roads will soon be traveling smooth streets and the list goes on. I am so thankful for this program and the assistance it provides to communities who may be unable to afford these needed improvements on their own.”
Wednesday’s ceremony at the Capitol was the first round of CDBG announcements. The Governor plans to announce another round of CDBG awards on February 1.
Most CDBG funds are awarded annually in several categories through a competitive process based on many factors including the number of low- and moderate-income families affected, community need and cost efficiency of projects.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“As a former mayor, I am aware of how important these grants are to these communities and the impact that they have in improving the quality of life,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I join with Gov. Ivey in congratulating the towns, cities and counties that have been awarded grants. Those involved in this process are to be commended for their dedication and hard work they have provided for their communities.”
Wednesday’s grant announcements are in the categories of planning, Black Belt, community enhancement and county. Planning grants are awarded to guide municipalities in orderly growth, revitalization or development. Black Belt grants are designed to assist communities in Alabama’s poorest counties which are located along a southern stretch. Community Enhancement grants address a wide range of projects.
Those awarded grants, grant amounts and projects are:
Planning

Town of Ragland – $28,000 for downtown revitalization plan.

Black Belt

Town of Pine Hill – $350,000 for water improvements.

County

Choctaw County Commission – $350,000 for street improvements.
Clarke County Commission – $350,000 for street improvements.
Coosa County Commission – $350,000 for street improvements.
Covington County Commission – $350,000 for water extension.
DeKalb County Commission – $256,422 for streets and drainage.
Geneva County Commission– $350,000 for water extension.
Jackson County Commission – $275,780 for water extension.
Lamar County Commission – $222,000 for water extension.
St. Clair County Commission – $350,000 for street improvements.

Community Enhancement

City of Aliceville – $206,272 for fire truck for Volunteer Fire Department.
Town of Ariton – $249,976 for street improvements.
City of Ashford – $146,807 for street improvements.
Town of Chatom – $150,000 for street improvements.
City of Evergreen – $250,000 for a baseball field.
Town of Louisville – $250,000 for street improvements.
Town of Mosses – $149,068 for community park upgrades.
City of Muscle Shoals – $250,000 for a “miracle field” ball field.
City of Ozark – $250,000 for a swimming pool.
City of Sheffield – $132,300 for demolition and clearance.
Town of Susan Moore – $250,000 for water improvements.
Town of Taylor – $205,604 for street improvements.
Town of Thorsby – $250,000 for demolition and clearance.
Town of Triana – $238,690 for Town Hall rehabilitation.
City of Wetumpka – $171,000 for demolition and clearance.

ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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