North Alabama cities, county awarded grants for improvement projects

MONTGOMERY — Collinsville, Haleyville, Guntersville and Cullman County are among 44 towns, cities and counties to share nearly $17.5 million for community development projects, Gov. Kay Ivey announced.

The Community Development Block 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 annually assist our local governments with some of their most pressing needs and projects that may be out of reach of their own budgets,” Ivey said. “I am honored to award these funds for projects that will make a positive impact in communities across our great state.”

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.

“Many of those local governments that surveyed their most critical needs and took the time and effort to complete CDBG applications are seeing that hard work pay off with today’s announcement,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in full support of these projects. I also encourage those governments that fell short of receiving funding to persevere and continue applying for these all-important funds.”

Collinsville received $400,000 to replace damaged sewer lines and manhole covers to get the system in compliance with state environmental regulations.

Haleyville was awarded $500,000 for street and water system improvements on three housing authority properties.

Guntersville received $312,013 to renovate the weather-damaged community center which also serves as a senior citizen center.

Cullman County was awarded $500,000 to resurface and provide drainage improvements on 2.6 miles of Cullman County Road 1490 in the Gold Ridge Community.

CDBG are awarded annually on a competitive basis and in several categories to ensure local governments of all sizes have opportunities to be awarded funds.