MONTGOMERY—Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $85,000 to help create new jobs in Washington County.
The Washington County Commission will use the Community Development Block Grant funds to extend public water service on U.S. Highway 43 to serve Okra Energy which plans to employ 25 people. Okra Energy supplies liquefied natural gas primarily to Latin American and Caribbean markets.
“Encouraging new jobs and employment opportunities is a priority of my administration,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to assist the Washington County Commission with this project, and I applaud the creation of 25 jobs for residents.”
The county will use the CDBG funds to extend water lines to the plant which is located on a 12-acre site south of McIntosh. The project also involves installing two water hydrants near the plant.
Liquefied natural gas is the process of chilling natural gas to the point that it become a liquid, which takes up less space and is more easily transportable.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Gov. Ivey is committed to providing new jobs in Alabama, particularly in rural communities,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to be a partner in this process.”
The Washington County Commission is providing $20,682 in local funds for the project. Ivey notified Commission Chairman Allen Bailey that the grant had been approved.
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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