$17 million of federal funding for community improvement projects awarded through ADECA

The State has announced $17 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) to benefit Alabama cities, towns and communities. The grants have been awarded to 41 Alabama towns, cities, and counties. 

The grants cover a range of community needs, including water and sewer upgrades, street resurfacing, fire station construction, fire trucks, and upgrading parks.

“Probably no other grant program in Alabama has as widespread an impact or is as celebrated as Community Development Block Grants,” Governor Kay Ivey said about the grants. “These grants help local governments take on much needed projects that make communities safer and better places to live. I am honored to award these grants that will help so many communities across our state.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the grants with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“The Community Development Block Grant Program is a competitive process in which local governments examine their most pressing needs and submit applications,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

“ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in awarding these grants for projects that will improve the quality of life in these 41 communities. While there are simply not enough funds to award a grant for every project submitted, all applicants should be commended for their dedication to serving their communities.”

According to the HUD website, “Eligibility for participation as an entitlement community is based on population data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and metropolitan area delineations published by the Office of Management and Budget. HUD determines the amount of each entitlement grantee’s annual funding allocation by a statutory dual formula which uses several objective measures of community needs, including the extent of poverty, population, housing overcrowding, age of housing and population growth lag in relationship to other metropolitan areas.”

CDBGs are awarded annually in several categories to ensure local governments of all sizes have opportunities to be awarded funds. Categories include:

• Small City – populations of 3,000 and below.
• Large City- populations of 3,001 and above.
• County – supporting primarily unincorporated areas.
• Community Enhancement – special projects extending beyond infrastructure improvements.
• Planning Fund – projects that enable governments to map out goals and long-range plans.

According to ADECA the grants awarded by region include:

North Alabama

Attalla – $500,000

The city plans to upgrade its sewer system by replacing damaged terra cotta (clay) pipes and manholes. Improvements will be conducted in two areas of the city. 

Blount County – $300,000

The county plans to use funds to make road improvements in the Sugarland Lake Community.

Blountsville – $400,000

The town plans to upgrade streets and sewer lines. Among streets scheduled for improvements are Walter Street, Hendrix Street, Center Street and Lee Street. 

Courtland- $400,000

Funds will be used to improve its water system by upgrading deteriorated and undersized water lines to improve service for its customers.

Detroit – $400,000

The town will use funds to construct a new fire and rescue station with two bays. The station will be located on U.S. Highway 17.

Hamilton- $500,000

The city will use funds to improve city water services for about 1,600 residents in the Mitchell Station area by installing a new booster pumping system.

Hammondville- $400,000

Funds will be used to repair and resurface several roads in the town including Palmer Road, Haney Road and Winston Drive.

Littleville – $400,000

CDBG funds will be used to upgrade water lines by expanding their size to increase water pressure and help lead to lower home insurance rates because of better firefighting capabilities. 

Red Bay – $500,000

The city will provide drainage improvements along 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 9^th and 10^th avenues in the northwestern part of the city. 

Town Creek – $400,000

The town will use funds to upgrade its sewer system to prevent back up of sewage into houses and sewer overflows.

Central Alabama

Bullock County – $500,000

The project will resurface and improve 16 roads throughout the county.

Demopolis – $500,000

The city plans to make street and drainage improvements along Fairview Avenue and Cedar Crest Drive.

Eclectic – $400,000

The town will use CDBG funds to upgrade its waste-water treatment facility to properly serve current households and businesses and handle growth coming into the town.   

Eufaula- $400,000

Funds will be used to demolish and clear approximately 55 abandoned and dilapidated structures in and around the core of the city. 

Franklin – $400,000

The town will use funds to demolish and clear 17 dilapidated structures throughout the town.

Geiger – $372,753

The town plans to resurface five streets and improve drainage on some. Streets scheduled for improvements are Kirkland Boulevard, Payne Street, Pinson Road, Smith Street, Ninth Street and Martin Luther King Circle. 

LaFayette – $40,000

Funds through the CDBG Planning Grant Program will be used to help the city update its comprehensive plan to develop achievable goals for the city involving growth, revitalization and economic development.  

Marion — $500,000

Funds will be used to resurface Lincoln Heights and several side streets benefiting about 175 people.

Moundville – $500,000

The city proposes to construct new sidewalks in the CC Loop and Alabama Avenue area and install storm water drainage in the area of Market and Griffin streets. 

Munford – $328,100

Funds will be used to demolish a portion of the old Munford High School and clear the debris in preparation for future redevelopment of the town’s core area. 

Roanoke – $500,000

CDBG funds will be used to provide drainage improvements in two areas of the city, including along Mulberry and Piedmont streets and College and Cannon streets. 

Shorter – $400,000

The town plans to purchase a pumper firetruck to enhance the town’s firefighting capabilities and help save properties and lives.

Sumter County – $500,000

The county plans to provide public water services to nearly 160 households in the Ward and Siloam communities in southern Sumter County.

Tuskegee- $500,000

The city will use funds to make water and street improvements along North Church Street. The city will make curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs and upgrade water lines to improve service. 

South Alabama

Andalusia – $400,000

Funds will be used to construct playground equipment at Robinson Park at the corner of Church and Railroad streets.

Ariton – $400,000

Funds will be used to continue the city’s upgrading of its sewer system to provide more reliable service for its residents. Specific project areas include Pea River Road, Atlantic Street and Barnes Drive. 

Ashford – $240,000

Funds will be used to demolish and clear 12-14 vacant and dangerous structures in an attempt to clean up the area and remove unsafe houses and buildings. 

Brundidge- $400,000

The city will use funds to make improvements at the city’s wastewater treatment facility to ensure better service for households and businesses in the city. 

Camden – $400,000

CDBG funds will be used to upgrade several roads while also upgrading its sewer system. Much of the work will be done in the Deer Creek area.

Castleberry – $400,000

Funds will be used to rehabilitate and improve the town’s water system by upgrading and increasing the size of a main water line.

Choctaw County – $500,000

The county will use funds to make road improvements on Melvin Cutoff Road while also improving an area prone to washouts. 

Dozier – $400,000

Funds will be used to buy a 2,000-gallon tanker-pumper firetruck to enhance the fire department’s fire suppression capabilities.

Enterprise- $400,000

The city will use funds to continue its demolition and clearing program. The city has identified 57 dilapidated structures that are considered a public nuisance and need to be razed. 

Flomaton – 400,000

The town will use funds to upgrade its sewer system by rehabilitating two old sewage lift stations through the installation of new pumps, pipes, valves and electrical components. 

Frisco City – $400,000

Funds will be used to resurface several streets deemed in poor condition. Roads included in the 2.7-mile-long project include Snider Avenue, Excel/Frisco Highway and West Avenue.  

Geneva County – $500,000

The county plans to resurface 4.4 miles of rural roads in the Sellersville and Coffee Springs areas of the county.

Georgiana – $400,000

The town will use funds to renovate the Hank Williams Park, home of the Hank Williams Music Festival.  The town plans to replace a bathroom/concession area and correct a major drainage issue. 

Kinsey- $400,000

CDBG funds will be used to rehabilitate part of the town’s sewer system by replacing or rehabilitating some sewer lines.

Opp-$440,000

The city will use funds to resurface several streets including parts or all of South College Street, Hardin Street and Hardage Circle.

Robertsdale- $500,000

The city plans to provide public sewer improvements in the southeast section of the city. The project will involve replacing or repairing sewer line and manhole entrances. 

Samson – $400,000

Funds will be used to resurface all or part of several city streets. Those streets include South Broad Street, South Ripley Street, Lake Frankie Street, Lamar Street and Alva Street.