Grants awarded to help communities’ infrastructure

MONTGOMERY – More than $19 million in Community Development Block Grants have been awarded to towns, cities and counties around the state, Gov. Kay Ivey’s office announced today.

Scottsboro, Lexington and Courtland are among 18 North Alabama towns and cities to receive grants totaling more than $6.8 million.

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.

The grants will enable local governments to pave or resurface roads, eliminate blight and drainage problems, improve water or sewer service and build or improve local community centers and playgrounds.

“Community Development Block Grants help communities address major needs whether it be supplying clean drinking water or eliminating dilapidated and unsafe structures,” Ivey said. “I congratulate the cities and counties who received grants in this keenly competitive process, and I wish them the best in improving their communities.”

The CDBG program in Alabama is awarded annually on a competitive basis in several categories: small city (population 2,999 or less), large city (population 3,000 or more), county and community enhancement. Planning grants are also awarded to help local governments examine needs and provide a vision for the future.

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.

“ADECA is pleased to be a part of a program that is so beneficial to cities and counties across our state,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “I commend community leaders and planners for their efforts to improve the lives of their residents and make their communities better places to live.

The 18 North Alabama communities are:

• Belk – $400,000 to replace a major water line.
• Berry – $400,000 for sewer line replacement and related improvements.
• Cherokee – $362,422 for drainage and ditch improvements.
• Colony – $399,827 for street improvements.
• Courtland – $400,000 for water line upgrades and improvements.
• Garden City – $389,800 to upgrade the town’s sewer system.
• Guinn – $304,000 for street resurfacing and drainage improvements.
• Hodges – $329,000 for downtown revitalization, including razing dilapidated buildings.
• Jacksonville – $500,000 to replace sewer lines.
• Lexington – $397,907 for water and fire suppression improvements.
• Oxford – $500,000 for drainage improvements and demolition of dilapidated structures.
• Pell City – $500,000 for water system improvements.
• Rainsville – $500,000 to repair and replace sewer lines.
• Ranburne – $400,000 to renovate the town’s senior citizen center.
• Scottsboro – $400,000 to demolish and clear 26 dilapidated structures.
• Steele – $400,000 to replace a main water line.
• Valley Head – $400,000 for street and drainage improvements.
• Winfield – $342,000 to demolish 18 dilapidated and abandoned/vacant structures.