MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $200,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to help repair and replace components of the sewer system in Town Creek.
Town Creek will use grant funds to rehabilitate and repair 4,000 feet of sewer main and replace 1,600 feet of 4-inch main with larger 6-inch pipes to better accommodate high volume flows. In the first six months of 2019, town officials said there were 18 recorded overflows and with more than 80 percent of the current sewer lines being made of 40-year-old clay and cast iron, there is a greater risk of more overflow in the future.
“Properly functioning sewer systems are vital pieces of infrastructure for maintaining healthy communities,” Gov. Ivey said. “This Appalachian Regional Commission grant will help Town Creek increase the quality of life for all who live and work there.”
Funds will also be used to rehabilitate three pump stations, install a new control panel and replace two pumps at the influent station. The Bradley and Railroad stations will receive new generators as well as updates to their electrical systems.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama along with a wide range of other programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management. Thirty-seven counties in Alabama are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
“ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in working with local communities to update their infrastructure and improve the lives of their residents,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Our longstanding partnership with the ARC has helped many municipalities like Town Creek over the years.”
The 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.
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley