Robert Bentley awards $1.2 million in grants for south-central Alabama

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Governor Robert Bentley

Governor Robert Bentley Tuesday announced he’s awarding $1.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for four projects in south-central Alabama to help improve living conditions.

Both the Autauga County Commission and the town of Eclectic will receive $350,000 each, and the cities of Dadeville and Goodwater $250,000 each.

“These grants will help address some urgent needs in areas where local revenues are stretched thin,” Bentley said in a release. “I am pleased to assist local officials throughout the region who are striving to improve the quality of life in their communities.”

The grant recipients and their projects are as follows:

Autauga County Commission (Autauga County): The Billingsley Water System will use funds to make multiple improvements at its two well sites including adding filters, chlorine monitor and leak detectors and replacing electrical components. The project will improve water quality for the 450 households served by the system and eliminate unsafe electrical components. The county commission has pledged an additional $35,000 in local funding for the project.

The city of Goodwater (Coosa County): Will raze and remove debris from eight dilapidated buildings that are a downtown eyesore and a hazard to safety and health. The buildings, which housed mercantile businesses, all front Main Street (Alabama Highway 9). City officials believe the demolition is a first step in revitalizing the downtown and improving the city’s economic situation. The city is seeking guidance from Auburn University’s Community Planning program on ways to enhance downtown. The town is contributing $25,000 for the project.

The town of Eclectic (Elmore County): Will upgrade its wastewater treatment plant by installing a multi-filtration and screening system that will more adequately treat sewage and ensure the system is in compliance with standards required by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Repairs at the plant in 2014 exceeded $16,000 and experts indicate those repair costs will continue without major modifications and upgrades. The upgrade will enable the town to serve new customers and businesses. Residents not served by the town system also will benefit because the town can resume accepting waste from septic-tank haulers who may have had to charge more for their services because of the additional mileage and costs involved in disposing of waste. Local funding of $375,000 has been pledged for the project.

The city of Dadeville (Tallapoosa County): Will demolish and clear unsafe structures throughout the city. City officials say the structures pose threats to safety and security of neighborhoods and also reduce property values. Nearly 49 abandoned residences and four commercial structures have been deemed inhabitable and targeted for demolition. City officials say nuisance properties are the top complaints voiced by residents, but the city has been unable without outside financial assistance to do anything about the problem. The city has pledged $25,321 in local funding for the project.

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

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