MONTGOMERY —Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $200,000 grant to enable the city of Talladega to resolve a potential health hazard.
The funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will help the city replace or repair damaged and deteriorated sewer lines in the Howard Street area which have produced unsanitary conditions including sewage backing up in houses and pooling in yards and ditches.
“Funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission have benefitted many Alabama communities throughout the last 50 years,” Ivey said. “From improving infrastructure like in this project in Talladega to paving the way for new jobs, the ARC program has certainly proven its value to our state, and I am so thankful for our partnership.”
City officials say the project will replace 68-year-old sewer lines and manhole outlets directly affecting 309 homes and 10 businesses, eliminating the need for frequent repairs.
The grant will be combined with a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant, awarded by Ivey in October 2018, to complete the project. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC and CDBG programs in Alabama.
“So often local governments that are eligible for ARC funds are able to wisely combine those grants with CDBG awards for maximum results,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Ivey to help the city of Talladega resolve this concern.”
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Talladega County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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Contact Jim Plott or Mike Presley