ADECA says Alabama broadband plans are nearly ready for approval
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) was tasked with expanding broadband in the state prior to the pandemic, but COVID-19 revealed the necessity for expanding high-speed internet and has brought federal funds and increased urgency. ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell told Alabama’s economic developers the state is ready to spend $85 million in America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to expand broadband in the state and is seeking nearly $200 million more in Alabama’s Capital Projects Fund for further expansion. Speaking at the Economic Development Association of Alabama’s 2022 Summer Conference, Boswell said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey first sought to work broadband into ADECA’s mission in 2017. The Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition pushed for legislation in 2019. That legislation eventually passed, and Ivey signed it into law in July 2021. The ARPA funding was a response to the pandemic when quarantines exposed the need for connectivity for people working from home, doing distance learning for school, and needing telemedicine for health care. “(The pandemic) magnified how bad that we needed it,” Boswell said. “It’s quality of life, it’s health care, it’s education – in today’s world, broadband impacts and affects us in every way, shape, form, and fashion.” Boswell said there is a need for $4 billion to $6 billion to expand broadband in the state, but two plans are at least a start. Companies like C Spire, Point Broadband, and Tombigbee Communications have been working with Alabama Power and others to bridge the state’s digital divide since 2019. Boswell said systems with the infrastructure and networks have the main lines of access – known as the “first mile” – and local providers can connect homes and businesses with what is known as the “last mile.” The need is the “middle mile” between the two, and that is where ADECA plans to spend the $85 million in ARPA funds. “We have five applications in-house right now, and we hope to have those graded, and an announcement made hopefully in the next two weeks,” Boswell said. The other ADECA plan seeks to use funds from the state. “Our second process is the actual Capital Projects Fund with $191 million,” Boswell said. “We have the plan complete. We’re doing all of our checks and balances as we speak. We will submit that to (the Alabama Department of) Commerce. They have up to a year to actually approve the plan, but we’re hoping that because of our advancements with our plan program that we will actually get that done quicker, by hopefully six months.” Those expenditures are in addition to the billions more being spent by private companies helping to expand broadband throughout Alabama. Learn more about Alabama Power’s Economic and Community Development initiatives at AmazingAlabama.com. Republished with the permission of Alabama NewsCenter.
$47 million in grants awarded to assist low-income families with utility costs
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) announced that Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling nearly $47 million to help low-income households with utility costs during the cold winter and hot summer months. The grants will enable 18 community service agencies to provide emergency funding to help low-income families heat and cool their homes in 2022. “Alabama’s coldest and hottest times of the year hit many low-income residents particularly hard when they can struggle to pay their utility bills,” Gov. Ivey said. “These grants will provide extra funding to assist in lowering the costs for many of them so that they can stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.” ADECA will administer the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management, and recreation development. “ADECA stands with Gov. Ivey in supporting those who need help most during our hottest and coldest months,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “These partnerships with local community agencies ensure that those who truly need assistance will receive emergency help with heating and cooling their homes.” Below is a list of each grant, the recipient agency, counties served, and the agency telephone number: $1.34 million to Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama Inc. (Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale) 256-766-4330 $2.46 million to Community Action Partnership of Middle Alabama Inc. (Autauga, Chilton, Elmore and Shelby) 205-755-1204 $1.24 million to Community Action Committee Inc. of Chambers-Tallapoosa-Coosa (Chambers, Coosa and Tallapoosa) 256-825-4287 $1.39 million to Alabama Council on Human Relations Inc. (Lee) 334-821-8336 $3.62 million to Community Action Partnership of Huntsville-Madison and Limestone Counties Inc. (Madison and Limestone) 256-851-9800 $5.12 million to Mobile Community Action Inc. (Mobile and Washington) 251-457-5700 $2.57 million to Montgomery Community Action Committee and Community Development Corporation Inc. (Montgomery) 334-263-3474 $3.22 million to Community Action Partnership of North Alabama Inc. (Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan and Winston) 256-355-7843 $3.9 million to Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama Inc. (Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall and St. Clair) 256-638-4430 $3.12 million to Organized Community Action Program Inc. (Bullock, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Lowndes and Pike) 334-566-1712 $3.31 million to Community Action Agency of South Alabama (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe and Wilcox) 251-626-2646 $2.28 million to Community Action Agency of Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun and Cleburne (Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph and Talladega) 256-362-6611 $5.97 million to Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Choctaw, Dallas, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Perry, Sumter and Tuscaloosa) 205-752-5429 $1 million to Walker County Community Action Agency Inc. (Walker County) 205-221-4010 $3.06 million to Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership Inc. (Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Henry and Houston) 334-347-0881 $510,922 to Pickens County Community Action Committee and Community Development Corporation Inc. (Pickens) 205-367-1283 $1.2 million to Macon-Russell Community Action Agency Inc. (Macon and Russell) 334-727-6100 $1.47 million to Community Action of Etowah County Inc. (Etowah) 256-546-9271
Kay Ivey awards $18 million in grants to improve public water services
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $18.2 million to provide improvements in more than 50 Alabama towns, cities, and counties. The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) will help local governments provide public water service to households, repair damaged streets and roads, improve sewer systems, and more. The governor awarded the grants at a ceremony Thursday afternoon in the State Capitol. “Community Development Block Grants are a means in which local governments can address some of their more pressing needs,” stated Ivey. “I am pleased to award these grants, and I commend those local officials who recognized those needs and took the time and effort to seek an answer through this grant program.” The CDBG program in Alabama is awarded annually on a competitive basis in several categories: small city (population 2,999 or less), large city (population 3,000 or more), county and community enhancement. Additionally, planning grants are awarded to help local governments examine and address needs. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) will administer the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management, and recreation development. “ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Ivey in this grant program that annually helps Alabama towns, cities and counties obtain financial assistance for projects that benefit their communities,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “We look forward to seeing the positive impacts that these projects have on the quality of life for residents of these communities.” Grants awarded and projects (grouped by geographical region) are: North Alabama Altoona (Etowah County) – $293,024 to replace a city water line that because of frequent breakages is responsible for most of the major disruptions in city water service. Altoona (Etowah County) – $25,000 for a planning grant to outline the city’s goals and future needs. Athens (Limestone County) – $500,000 for drainage and street improvements and dilapidated-building demolition in the neighborhood around Vine Street. Attalla (Etowah County)- $500,000 to replace or rehabilitate several sections of the town’s sewer lines. Blount County – $300,000 for street and drainage improvements along Philadelphia, Lehigh, and Reid Schoolhouse roads southwest of Locust Fork. Brilliant (Marion County) – $349,900 to upgrade sewer lines and pump stations to improve service. Crossville (DeKalb County) – $40,000 for a planning grant to update mapping of the town’s water system. Cullman (Cullman County)- $500,000 for street and drainage improvements in the Warnke Road neighborhoods. Cullman County – $400,000 to resurface and provide drainage improvements along Cullman County Road 18 near the Bremen community. Douglas (Marshall County)- $350,000 for improvements to the town’s water system and street and drainage improvements along Plunkett Drive, Moon Road and part of Otinger Drive. Falkville (Morgan County) -$350,000 for drainage improvements in an area bounded by East Pike Road, East Pine Street, Patton Street and Douglas Road. Gurley (Madison County) – $350,000 to replace or rehabilitate nearly 160 manhole components in the town’s sewer system. Hillsboro (Lawrence County) – $350,000 for drainage improvements along Oakdale Avenue and its spur roads. Jasper (Walker County) – $500,000 for water, sewer, and street improvements along multiple streets in the 19th Street neighborhood. Littleville (Colbert County) – $350,000 to replace or rehabilitate sewer lines and manholes along U.S. Highway 43. New Hope (Madison County) – $350,000 to repair and replace city sewer lines and some household lines along Spring, Ellett, and Whitt streets, West Avenue, and a part of College Avenue. Owens Cross Roads (Madison County) – $350,000 for sewer improvements in the neighborhood along Brockway Road. Parrish (Walker County) – $300,000 for street and drainage improvements involving Atkins-Edison Street and New Baltimore and Shady Grove roads. Powell (DeKalb County) – $148,000 to replace a dilapidated play area with new playground equipment. Russellville (Franklin County) – $300,000 to demolish 11 dilapidated structures and remove debris. Sylvania (DeKalb County) – $300,000 to repair and resurface Delta, Spear, and Horizon streets in the Sylvania Estates neighborhood. Walker County – $260,000 for handicap access improvements for the Walker County Courthouse in Jasper. North Central Alabama Fruithurst (Cleburne County) – $217,006 to resurface all or part of School Street, Third Street West, and Northeast Avenue. Fruithurst (Cleburne County) – $12,000 for a planning grant. Heflin (Cleburne County) – $500,000 to rehabilitate the town’s main sewer line which is responsible for transporting sewage to the city’s wastewater plant. Wedowee (Randolph County) – $350,000 to replace sewer lines to better control sewage inflow. South Central Alabama Alexander City (Tallapoosa County) – $500,000 to replace antiquated water lines to improve flow and pressure and add fire hydrants. Bullock County – $400,000 to resurface multiple streets in the Ponderosa community. Camden (Wilcox County) – $350,000 to upgrade sewer lines in the Westgate community. Choctaw County – $400,000 to rehabilitate and resurface 5.1 miles of Bailey Road southwest of Butler. Dadeville (Tallapoosa County) – $500,000 for dismantling and clearing 18 dilapidated buildings. Eclectic (Elmore County) – $300,000 to construct a new playground, adult fitness area, and amenities at the site of Panther Palace Playground. Epes (Sumter County) – $343,773 for sewer improvements along Clark Miller Lane and Martin Luther King Drive (U.S. Highway 11). Faunsdale (Marengo County) – $300,000 to rehabilitate sidewalks including handicap accessibility modifications and add lighting in the town’s commercial district. Goodwater (Coosa County)- $300,000 to raze and remove debris of four dilapidated commercial buildings. LaFayette (Chambers County) – $450,000 for upgrades at the town’s water treatment plant. Lowndes County – $400,000 to resurface seven county roads. Macon County -$396,040 to resurface at least parts of 19 county roads. Perry County – $400,000 to extend public water availability in the Medline community. Wilcox County – $400,000 to improve drainage along four streets in the Meadowbrook Subdivision area. South Alabama Andalusia (Covington County) – $500,000 to replace water lines along North Cotton Street and Eighth Avenue and resurface those streets. Chatom (Washington County) -$350,000 to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility to ensure reliable service for residents. Enterprise (Coffee County) – $272,900 to demolish and clear 45 dilapidated buildings throughout the city. Evergreen (Conecuh County) – $500,000 to improve the town’s sewer system, including replacing an outdated lift station and inadequate sewer line. Flomaton (Escambia County) – $350,000 to renovate and upgrade the town’s
Kay Ivey awards $4.8 million grant to help child victims of abuse
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $4.8 million to help provide services to child victims of abuse, neglect, and sexual assault. The grants will provide training and resources to local law enforcement and nonprofit agencies and help many nonprofit organizations provide services including forensic interviews, mental health services, medical services referrals, advocacy, community education, and prevention services. “Young victims deserve to have the same professional services and help given to them as adult victims,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend these agencies that work daily to help those who have been harmed and work to prevent further abuse.” The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) will administer the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation, and water resources management. “ADECA shares Gov. Ivey’s dedication to protecting the most vulnerable among us by making sure child victims have the resources they need and that those helping the children are trained to provide the best assistance possible,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell stated. The following grants were awarded to various local and state agencies that provide direct services to victims and providers: Russell County Child Advocacy Center (Russell County): $66,240. Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center (Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Pike): $109,440. Morgan County Child Advocacy Center (Morgan County): $229,440. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County (Cherokee County): $140,160. Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center (Walker, Marion): $217,920. Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center, Inc. (Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe): $67,200. Family Counseling Center of Mobile, Inc. (Mobile County): $347,650. West Alabama Children’s Advocacy Center (Fayette, Lamar, Pickens): $83,520. Covington County Child Advocacy Center, Inc. (Covington County): $91,200. The Child Advocacy Center of Marshall County (Marshall County): $144,000. Talladega County Child Advocacy Center, Inc. (Clay, Coosa, Talladega): $82,560. DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. (DeKalb County): $270,487. Cramer Children’s Center (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Winston): $583,680. James M. Barrie Center for Children, Inc. (Etowah County): $260,160. St. Clair Children’s Advocacy Center (St. Clair County): $65,280. Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. (Autauga, Chilton, Elmore): $270,720. CARE House, Inc. (Baldwin County): $116,160. Prescott House Child Advocacy Center (Jefferson County): $242,880. Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center, Inc. (Calhoun, Cleburne): $130,560. National Children’s Advocacy Center (DeKalb, Jackson, Madison, Marshall, Morgan): $597,983. Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center (Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry, Wilcox): $105,600. Child Protect Inc. (Montgomery County): $131,520. The Child Advocacy Center of Cullman, Inc. (Cullman County): $234,477. Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. (Shelby County): $281,280.
Alabama cable providers seek investment of $13M in rural broadband expansion
Alabama cable providers plan to invest more than $13 million to bring broadband telecommunications services to rural Alabama citizens who do not yet have high speed internet services. The investment would be incentivized through $4.67 million in grant funding from the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund (ABAF), a state fund established in 2018 to help extend broadband services to rural Alabamians who do not yet have them. ABAF grants fund up to 35% of project costs to extend broadband technology, enabling the full $13 million cable provider broadband investment. For the current ABAF grant cycle, the 18 grants applied for by Alabama cable providers cover nearly 8,000 rural Alabama homes and businesses, including 35 community anchor locations such as rural hospitals and libraries. The grants seek to serve the highest number of unserved homes, businesses and community anchor points (such as hospitals and libraries) for the least cost and best level of service. Projects including the highest broadband speeds are emphasized in the evaluation process. “Alabama’s cable companies have been providing broadband to rural consumers since the late 1990s and we continue efforts to expand broadband in rural areas,” said Michelle Roth, executive director of the Alabama Cable and Broadband Association. “The projects in these grant applications extend high speed internet services to rural Alabamians who currently have no access to them.” The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), which administers the grant program, may rule out applications which they feel do not meet the grant standards of extending broadband to unserved parts of the state. In addition, Roth said grant guidelines also allow for challenges to applications by existing providers. “We are for a fair and open process that does not use taxpayer dollars to duplicate service to customers who already have access to broadband service,” Roth explained. “In light of the current public health concerns that are forcing our students online for their education, we’ve all got to make sure we first roll out new broadband service to rural customers who don’t already have it.”
Kay Ivey awards grants to strengthen fight against illegal drugs
Gov. Kay Ivey has strengthened the state’s arsenal in the fight against opioids and other illegal or abused drugs by issuing $386,207 in grants to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Ivey awarded grants of $260,207 and $126,000 that will enable the department to purchase two state-of-the-art substance analyzers capable of rapidly analyzing and identifying prescription and illegal drugs, including opioids. The analyzers are also expected to help reduce a backlog of drug cases. “Evidence provided by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences is often the difference between whether a suspect is convicted or set free,” Ivey said. “These new tools will greatly enhance the ability of technicians to accurately examine drug evidence and provide that information to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.” The analyzers can identify solid and liquid substances to determine the presence and type of drug. Average screening time for each sample is expected to take about two minutes, according to the department. The Department of Forensic Sciences performs evidence collection and identification for more than 450 law enforcement agencies in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). “Gov. Ivey recognizes the tireless work that the Department of Forensic Sciences performs daily to assist our law enforcement agencies and prosecutorial services in doing their jobs effectively and efficiently,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in this partnership to provide this new equipment.”
Alabama gets federal assistance to help take drug dealers, drugs off the streets
In the state’s ongoing fight against the drug epidemic, Gov. Kay Ivey has put federal funds in the hands of law enforcement in hopes of reducing illegal drug use in the state by arresting those who buy or sell illegal drugs or falsely obtain prescription drugs. On Thursday, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) announces Ivey awarded nearly $1.6 million to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the seven regional drug task force offices under ALEA. The task forces were formed in January 2018 and are made up of officers in local law enforcement agencies. “We must combat illegal and illegally obtained drugs that rob so many people of productive lives and destroy families,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to support this task force, and I am grateful to the men and woman who risk their lives to take drugs off our streets.” In less than a year since its inception, the statewide drug task force has been involved in 889 drug cases and has seized 463 pounds of marijuana, 179 pounds of cocaine and 29.3 pounds of heroin and opioids along with other drugs and 312 firearms. The task force is made up of 93 law enforcement officers representing 46 state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. ALEA and the seven regional drug task force offices each received $197,500 in grant funding. Each regional office covers eight to 12 counties, although officers have powers in other jurisdictions. Funds will be used to cover overtime and operational expenses and equipment purchases. The ADECA is administering the grants from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). “ADECA is proud to be a partner with Gov. Ivey and ALEA in this process that takes drugs and dealers off out streets and makes our communities safer,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
Kay Ivey awards $3.1M in grants to help low-income Alabamians secure jobs, improve lives
Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the award of grants totaling $3.1 million for programs that help low-income residents take steps to secure gainful employment and improve their quality of life. The Community Services Block Grants (CSBG) will enable 20 community action agencies across the Yellowhammer State to help low-income Alabamians achieve self-sufficiency and address barriers to success through a variety of programs and services. “Community Action Agencies offer services that support low-income families as they work to create a more stable foundation for a successful life,” Ivey said. “I commend these agencies for their work toward reducing poverty and helping families in need.” Ivey awarded grants to the following 20 agencies: Community Action Partnership of Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties Inc. (Madison and Limestone) – $189,303. Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Choctaw, Dallas, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Perry, Tuscaloosa, Sumter) – $297,099. Walker County Community Action Agency Inc. (Walker) – $49,098. Pickens County Community Action Committee and Community Development Corporation Inc. (Pickens) – $21,041. Organized Community Action Program Inc. (Bullock, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Lowndes, Pike) – $144,570. Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama Inc. (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale) – $119,822. Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama Inc. (Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall, St. Clair) – $242,780. Community Action Partnership of North Alabama Inc. (Cullman, Lawrence, Morgan) – $139,089. Montgomery Community Action Committee Inc. (Montgomery) – $163,530. Mobile Community Action Inc. (Mobile, Washington) – $318,001. Marion-Winston Counties Community Action Committee Inc. (Marion, Winston) – $40,626. Macon-Russell Community Action Agency Inc. (Macon, Russell) – $67,261. Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (Jefferson) – $393,941. Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership Inc. (Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Henry, Houston) – $148,476. Community Action of Etowah County Inc. (Etowah) – $68,073. Community Action Partnership of Middle Alabama Inc. (Chilton, Shelby, Autauga, Elmore) – $142,374. Community Action Committee Inc. of Chambers-Tallapoosa-Coosa (Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa) – $62,991. Community Action Agency of South Alabama (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe, Wilcox) – $222,661. Alabama Council on Human Relations Inc. (Lee) – $98,797. Community Action Agency of Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun, and Cleburne Counties (Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega) – $183,020. The specific needs of the communities served determine which programs are available, which can include job search assistance and short-term employment skills classes, parenting classes, transitional housing, summer youth programs, financial literacy programs as well as emergency food and shelter. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Governor Ivey and I are committed to helping those agencies that offer support some of our state’s most vulnerable residents,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “ADECA’s partnership with these agencies has helped many residents and families achieve a better quality of life and created more opportunities for success.” Residents seeking assistance should contact their local community action agency. Full contact information for each agency can be found at www.caaalabama.org/agency-list.php.
Kay Ivey awards grants to prevent youth crime, recidivism in Alabama
Gov. Kay Ivey is hoping to put an end to youth crime and recidivism throughout the state of Alabama. On Friday, she awarded grants totaling $210,698 to support programs aimed to do just that. The grants will support five programs that provide mentoring and counseling to youth and their parents who have been referred through the juvenile justice system with a goal of reducing further involvement in the judicial system. “Wayward youth need mentoring and educational programs to help them get on a path to a positive and productive future,” Ivey said. “I commend the work of these organizations and am pleased to assist them in their efforts to help these young people turn their lives around and get on the road to success.” Ivey awarded the following grants: NEST Corporation Inc. (Mobile County) – $45,000: to expand a program to teach parenting skills to all NEST families. NEST mentors who work with at-risk youth will also reinforce and augment the skills that families learn through the parenting program. Family Counseling Center of Mobile Inc. (Mobile County) – $33,000: to work with truant children and their families, schools, juvenile court, probation officers and the district attorney’s office to reduce the number of absentee and truant children in local schools. Vineyard Family Services of Central Alabama Inc. (Shelby County) – $50,000: for the Detention Prevention Program which offers parents with support and instruction to increase their knowledge, skills and attitudes with the goal of healthy interactions and connections between them and their children. The program also works to reduce recidivism with youth in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Facility by teaching skills to help participants learn self-managing behavior and healthy decision-making. Auburn University ACES (Walker County) – $49,698: to reduce juvenile delinquency in Walker County by working with at-risk youth and their families. The program will focus on substance abuse prevention and strengthening family bonds. City of Bessemer (Jefferson County) – $33,000: for the Bessemer Police Department’s Marvel City Youth Program. The intervention and mentoring program teaches 75 youth skills designed to promote positive behavior, lessen aggression and develop social and emotional controls. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice. “Gov. Ivey and I believe in helping these young people who have the want and ability to turn from bad choices and become healthy, contributing members of society,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA’s partnership with these organizations will ensure those at-risk youths and their families have every opportunity to find that better future.”
In effort to break drug-crime nexus, Kay Ivey awards grant for drug rehabilitation in state prisons
The State of Alabama is continuing to take steps to help inmates at state prisons overcome drug addictions that may have led or contributed to their prison terms. On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded $504,892 in grant funding to the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program to help break this drug-crime nexus. The program is six-month course that will be conducted at seven prisons —Bullock Correctional Facility; Bibb Correctional Facility; Donaldson Correctional Facility; Easterling Correctional Facility; Staton Correctional Facility; Tutwiler Correctional Facility; Ventress Correctional Facility — with the intention of breaking the link between drug addiction and criminal activity. “We should strive to ensure that once a person is released from prison they will become a productive member of society,” Ivey said. “This program provides inmates the opportunity to escape their drug habit while in prison and create a new slate when they are released.” According to Bob Horton, Public Information Manager at ADOC, “the grant more than doubles the funding that the treatment program has received in previous years, which will enable the ADOC to expand services.” The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the program from funds made available to the state from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ describes that is goal of the RSAT Program “is to break the cycle of drugs and violence by reducing the demand for, use, and trafficking of illegal drugs. RSAT enhances the capability of states and units of local government to provide residential substance abuse treatment for incarcerated inmates; prepares offenders for their reintegration into the communities from which they came by incorporating reentry planning activities into treatment programs; and assists offenders and their communities through the reentry process through the delivery of community-based treatment and other broad-based aftercare services.” RSAT in Alabama In Alabama, the six-month RSAT Program curriculum is divided into three phases of treatment that are two months each. “In the program’s first phase, inmates who are enrolled take part in full-time treatment activities aimed at dealing with denial of addiction, recognition of drug abuse consequences, understanding of the addiction cycle, and a thorough understanding of the recovery cycle,” Horton explained. “The program’s second phase exposes inmates to recovery issues closely related to substance abuse such as anger management, character defects, criminal thinking, and poor coping skills and habit development. In the third phase, the program focuses on relapse prevention and aftercare planning while working to develop positive life skills.” The ADOC offers aftercare dorms with 768 beds to those who are enrolled in the program to allow a person to spend time practicing and refining their daily addiction recovery. The program will be conducted by counselors who specialize in drug addictions and inmates receive drug screenings while in the program to monitor their success and to measure the program’s effectiveness. “Our main objective is to foster a person’s sobriety and to help them develop a responsible lifestyle once they return back to their community,” said Horton. As of August 2018, 314 prisoners have completed the RSAT program in 2018. Ivey notified Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Commissioner Jeff Dunn the FY2018 grant had been approved.
Community Development Block Grants awarded to help improve 54 communities statewide
54 Alabama towns, cities and counties were awarded a total of nearly $17.8 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) on Friday by Governor Kay Ivey. The 54 grants will support a number of community improvement projects including water and sewer extensions and rehabilitation, street and drainage improvements, housing rehabilitation and community centers. “The beginning of a better Alabama starts today for many residents who are without clean water to drink or safe roads to drive or suitable housing in which to live,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants to support vital community improvement projects, and I commend the dedicated local officials who sought these grants with the intent to make their communities better places to live.” CDBG are awarded annually through a competitive process in four main categories including small city, large city, counties and community enhancements. Other categories in this round include Black Belt and planning grants. Award determinations are based on the number of low and moderate-income families affected, urgency of the need and project cost efficiency. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “As a former mayor whose city has been a recipient of CDBG awards, I can attest to how important this program is to our towns, cities and counties and the difference these grants can make in a community,” explained ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “ADECA is pleased to join Governor Ivey in the partnerships that it takes to make these grants come to fruition.” Those awarded grants, grant amounts and projects are: Small City Fund (Municipalities with populations of 3,000 or less) Beatrice – $350,000 for street improvements. Camden – $350,000 for water and sewer improvements. Carrollton – $350,000 for sewer improvements. Cherokee – $314,000 for street and drainage improvements. Detroit – $350,000 for water improvements. Falkville – $350,000 for sewer improvements. Luverne – $350,000 for water and street improvements. Millry – $350,000 for water improvements. New Hope – $350,000 for sewer and street improvements. Oak Grove – $200,000 for sewer improvements. Parrish – $350,000 for street and drainage improvements. Pisgah – $314,900 for water improvements. Rutledge – $350,000 for street improvements. Samson – $350,000 for sewer, water and street improvements. Sumiton – $350,000 for sewer improvements. Toxey – $350,000 for street improvements. Woodville – $350,000 for street and drainage improvements. Vredenburgh – $350,000 for street improvements. Large City Fund (Municipalities with populations of 3,001 or more) Andalusia – $280,000 for street improvements. Demopolis – $450,000 for sewer improvements. Elba – $450,000 for downtown revitalization. Eufaula – $450,000 for housing rehabilitation. Haleyville – $450,000 for sewer, water, drainage and street improvements. Hamilton – $450,000 for sewer, water, street and drainage improvements. Jacksonville – $429,713 for sewer improvements LaFayette – $450,000 for water improvements. Piedmont – $450,000 for sewer improvements. Roanoke – $359,487 for street improvements. Talladega – $450,000 for sewer improvements. Tuskegee – $450,000 for water and street improvements, and demolition and revitalization. County Fund (applies to 65 Alabama counties with Mobile and Jefferson counties receiving CDBG funds directly from HUD) Baldwin County – $350,000 for water improvements near the Lillian community. Hale County – $350,000 for water improvements in the Akron area. Madison County – $300,000 for water improvements east of Huntsville. Marshall County – $350,000 for street improvements on several county roads. Monroe County – $350,000 for water improvements west of Frisco City. Montgomery County – $350,000 for housing rehabilitation in Eastwood Villa. Sumter County – $350,000 for water improvements north of Cuba. Washington County – $350,000 for water improvement in the Fruitdale area. Community Enhancement Fund (municipalities of all sizes and 65 Alabama counties for projects addressing quality of life issues.) Akron – $250,000 for sewer improvements. Autaugaville – $250,000 for a new senior center. Barbour County – $250,000 for a new fire station in the Texasville community. Billingsley – $250,000 for town park improvements. Blountsville – $250,000 for sewer and street improvements. Blue Springs – $185,000 for water improvements. Butler County – $250,000 for courthouse renovations/handicapped accessibility. Cottonwood – $250,000 for street improvements. Dozier – $247,510 for demolition and clearance. Enterprise – $250,000 for demolition and clearance. Lauderdale County – $202,569 for a new senior center in the Greenhill community. Lisman – $182,771 for street improvements. Midway – $250,000 to convert a school into a community center. River Falls – $250,000 for street improvements. Black Belt Fund (municipalities and counties within a 12-county Black Belt region.) Selma – $450,000 for drainage improvements. Planning Fund (awarded to guide municipalities in orderly growth, revitalization or development.) Piedmont – $40,000 Skyline – $35,000
Kay Ivey awards Alabama’s Recreational Trails Program $2.7 million for enhancements
Alabama’s outdoor recreational opportunities will soon increase thanks to $2.7 million in grants awarded by Governor Kay Ivey. The funds will help expand or build trails or trail amenities at 10 sites in Alabama to enhance recreation outlets. An additional grant will provide equipment for improving state trails. “Alabama is a land of bountiful natural beauty, and our state and local trails are a means to experience and enjoy that outdoor splendor,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants, and I encourage everyone to enjoy these and any of the many other trails in our state.” The grants were awarded from funds made available to the state from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program, which was was created in 1998 to assist in acquiring, developing or improving trail and trail-related resources and areas such as walking, jogging, cycling, skating, backpacking, off-highway vehicle and horseback riding trails. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) administers the program in Alabama. “Trails come in many forms and magnitudes, but they provide character and so much more to our communities,” added ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “I join with Gov. Ivey in commending those who work so diligently to make these recreational outlets available for all to enjoy.” Below are the grants Ivey award: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: $109,600 to construct new footbridges and other improvements at the Walls of Jericho tract in Jackson County. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: $34,400 to purchase trail construction and maintenance equipment to be used on state lands properties. City of Scottsboro: $418,497 to expand the Goose Pond Colony boat ramp to eight lanes, including making it accessible to people with limited mobility and expanding a boardwalk to increase public fishing availability. Town of Section: $156,257 to provide parking and restrooms at the 13.5-acre Weatherington Park that is situated on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River in Jackson County. City of Guntersville: $320,000 to extend the Guntersville Trail enabling people to walk, run or bike from downtown Guntersville to along the Tennessee River waterfront. Cullman County Commission: $291,294 to construct a bathhouse/restroom facility at Stony Lonesome OHV Park. City of Valley: $277,200 to repair and resurface the 6.9-mile-long, multi-purpose Chattahoochee Valley Railroad Trail and install amenities like fencing and benches. Alabama Historical Commission (Old Cahawba Archaeological Park): $400,000 to build a multi-use concrete trail at Old Cahawba in Dallas County, connecting many of the park’s main features; building an equestrian trail and constructing additional bathrooms. City of Luverne: $90,772 to resurface an existing asphalt walking trail at E.L. Turner Park as part of an overall renovation of the facility. City of Andalusia: $400,000 to acquire a 16-mile-long abandoned railroad line for conversion into the multi-purpose Wiregrass Trail Corridor connecting four Covington County municipalities. City of Daphne: $210,205 to construct a wooden boardwalk connecting several trails at Village Point Park.
