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ADECA

October 29, 2014
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Gov. Bentley awards funding for improvements in northwest Alabama
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Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded seven grants totaling $1.96 million to improve the quality of life in several northwest Alabama communities. 

 Bentley awarded Community Development Block Grants to Colbert County and the municipalities of Beaverton, North Courtland, Sheffield, Leighton, Bear Creek and Red Bay. Local officials will use the funds for a range of projects aimed at upgrading the communities and making life better for residents.

 “Alabama counties, cities and towns apply for Community Development Block Grants with the goal of better serving their residents,” Bentley said. “These grants contribute so much to improvements, and in many cases essential public services, that I am always very pleased to play a part in making this assistance available.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering each of the seven awards from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

COLBERT COUNTY

The Colbert County Commission will use a $250,000 grant to build a 4,000-square-foot senior citizen center in the Ford City community. Senior citizens currently gather for meals, fellowship and activities in a rented building that is not handicapped accessible and has structural issues. The commission plans to build a new center less than a mile from the intersection of River and County Line roads, convenient to a shopping area and a newly constructed community storm shelter. The county is providing matching funds of $241,857 for the project.

The town of Leighton is receiving a $350,000 grant to replace old and damaged sewer lines along Nichols Street, Circle Drive, Meadows Street, New High School Road and College Street. Broken lines cause sewage backup in houses and create other health and safety issues. The town is providing matching funds of $119,575 for the project.

Sheffield plans to use its $113,533 grant to demolish and remove the debris of 12 dilapidated buildings scattered throughout the city. The structures, primarily houses, are eyesores that are beyond repair and city officials say they pose a hazard to public health and safety. The project is part of an overall plan to improve the appearance of the city.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Bentley awarded the city of Red Bay a $399,015 grant to rehabilitate part of its sewer system. The city will replace dilapidated clay sewer lines along sections of Fourth and Fifth streets, Willow Street, Ginn Circle and Second and Sixth avenues. Line breaks emit raw sewage in yards, and groundwater infiltrating the lines cause sewage to back up in houses. The city is providing a local match of $89,000.

LAMAR COUNTY

The town of Beaverton will use a $250,000 grant to repair damaged water lines. Frequent breaks in the system result in excessive water loss, frequent water outages, reduced water pressure and increased spending on maintenance, repairs and equipment. The town is supplying $2,000 in local funding for the project. 

LAWRENCE COUNTY

The town of North Courtland will use a $250,000 grant to build a new fire station. The town will construct a 2,500-square-foot facility on Davis Street near Town Hall that will include two bays for fire trucks, an office and multipurpose room and handicapped accessible bathrooms. The existing fire station is deteriorating and has only one bay, requiring the department to park its second truck under an aluminum canopy. The town is providing $5,000 in local funds for the project.

MARION COUNTY

The town of Bear Creek received a $350,000 grant to replace older water lines in its downtown district to alleviate frequent leaks, poor service and inadequate water availability for fire protection. Between October 2010 and April 2014 there were 87 water breaks and leaks in the downtown area, primarily the result of corroded water lines installed in the mid-1950s, town officials say. The town will supply $104,290 in local funding for the project.

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Contact Jim Plott or Larry Childers


For more information, visit:  http://www.adeca.alabama.gov/