ADECA seeking public comment on initial proposal for broadband expansion
On Tuesday, the Alabama Digital Expansion Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) released a draft of the Alabama Initial Proposal Volume 1 and Volume 2 for broadband expansion. ADEC is seeking public comment in advance of its submission to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Citizens are invited to view the draft Alabama Initial Proposal Volume 1 and Volume 2 on the ADECA website. All interested parties are invited to submit their comments regarding the draft document. Comments regarding the draft Volume 1 should be submitted via the online form. Comments regarding the draft Volume 2 should be submitted via the online form. Comments should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2023. If you are unable to access the online form, you may contact ADECA by email at broadband.fund@adeca.alabama.gov or call (334) 353-0767 for instructions on additional methods of submitting comments. The Alabama Digital Expansion Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is also holding a webinar on Monday, November 20th, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. At the webinar, ADECA will provide an overview of the recently released Alabama BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 and Volume 2, as well as the Alabama Statewide Digital Opportunity Plan, all of which are now open for public comment. ADECA will discuss how to submit comments on the documents, which provide information about ADECA’s plans to promote broadband deployment and digital opportunity in the state. To participate in the webinar, persons need to pre-register. ADECA will then send them a meeting link for the webinar. Governor Kay Ivey (R) and the Legislature have made expanding broadband a key goal of her second term as governor. The federal government has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to help get this done. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gov. Kay Ivey awards grant for child safety campaign involving vehicles
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $127,780 grant to prevent the accidental death and injury of children left in hot vehicles. The grant will enable Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham to conduct a statewide campaign to remind parents and caretakers that leaving children alone in vehicles, even for a short time, can have severe consequences. “The loss of a child’s life due to being carelessly left alone in a hot vehicle is an unspeakable tragedy that sadly continues to occur across this nation,” said Gov. Ivey. “This grant will perform a vital role in enabling Children’s of Alabama to conduct a public awareness campaign to drive home the critical message that children must never be left unattended in vehicles. Young lives are at stake.” According to Children’s, pediatric vehicular deaths due to heatstroke are a leading cause of vehicle-related deaths in children in the United States. The medical center, through its Health Education and Safety Center, will conduct safety and public awareness campaigns to reinforce its message. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey and Children’s of Alabama in this life-saving campaign,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation, and recreation.
ADEM has authorized water and sewage projects in 63 of the 67 counties
On Tuesday, the Joint Legislative Committee on American Rescue Plan Act State Funds met in Montgomery for oversight hearings on the progress of spending the first billion dollars of federal funds for COVID relief. Much of that money is being spent on water and sewer projects. Lance LeFleur is the Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). ADEM has been tasked with awarding those funds to water and sewer utilities. LeFleur said water projects have been approved for 63 of the 67 counties, and those other four counties have projects that will be in the next round of projects. LeFleur said that ADEM has $1.6 billion in funding available through 2026 and $3 billion in requests. “We have approximately $1.4 billion in projects that do not have a source of funding at this time,” LeFleur told Legislators. “We do have a website: Alabamawaterprojects.com.” “We have 600 systems in the state,” LeFleur explained. “Some systems have submitted multiple projects. Many of these are combination water and sewer systems.” LeFleur said that ADEM is considering every single project. All of the funding came through principal forgiveness or it came through a grant. “Under ARPA, the most dire needs were provided by grants,” LeFleur explained. State Sen. Greg Albritton chairs the oversight committee. “This is a lot of construction. Is there a contractor available to do all of this?” Albritton asked. “The simple answer is no,” LeFleur answered. “There are supply chain problems. We were faster at getting these awards out than any other state.” “In this process, it is important that we have proper oversight,” LeFleur explained. “We require a professional engineer to do the plant analysis, and then we check on the professional engineer to make sure that he did things right. Our engineers are very experienced. We make sure that the engineering on the front end is done properly. On the financial system, we require that each of these systems have an audit. We have to know the true financial picture of each of these systems. We have made the commitments at a very rapid pace compared to the rest of the nation. It is in the hands of the individual systems to get the final engineering done.” Lafleur continued, “We are not going to put any system in financial distress, but if they have the resources to contribute, it is important that they do that so we can get the most out of this money.” LeFleur said that for the poorest systems whose rates were already as high as their neighbors, the state would pick up 100% of the cost. If the system can afford matching dollars, ADEM requires them to provide those funds. Part of this financial evaluation of the systems is to examine the water and sewer rates charged by the systems. “They have to have rates that are consistent with the systems around them,” LeFleur said. “We have some systems that have not raised rates in a generation.” “Payment will only be made until after we have certified and made sure that the payments have been made,” LeFleur explained. “The funds will cover the costs of the engineers and the audits. We know that some systems have not had the funds to do audits in several years.” State Sen. Chris Elliott expressed his displeasure with how these awards are being prioritized. “My concern is and has been and continues to be that in the fastest growing county in the state that sees 8000 new people a year that represents 48% of the population growth in the entire state, that (State Senate) district received no funding, received zero projects – that is not acceptable,” Elliott said. LeFleur responded, “We do have one project in your county. Is that your district?” “That is not in my district. That is in the chairman’s district,” Elliott said. “And your problem with that is?” Chairman Albritton said. “Past growth is available for funding future growth is not available for funds,” LeFleur said. “Their systems (in Baldwin County) have the ability to fund growth.” “We have sewage overflows into Mobile Bay on a regular basis. We have sewage overflows in rivers and streams on a regular basis,” Elliott said. “Not allocating any resources into my district is very shortsighted.” Elliott threatened to filibuster future Senate meetings if his concerns are not addressed. Kirk Fulford is the head of the fiscal division of Alabama’s Legislative Services Agency (LSA). “Alabama was appropriated $2.12 billion,” Fulford said. Just over half of that money has been appropriated, Fulford explained. The Legislature will appropriate the second tranche of that money after it returns on March 7 for the 2023 Regular Legislative Session. Fulford said the Legislature had appropriated $222 million for water and sewer projects. The state has spent $400 million on two mega prisons under construction in Elmore and Escambia Counties. $80 million was spent on relief of Alabama hospitals, and another $80 million went to the state’s nursing homes. $51 million has been appropriated for broadband infrastructure projects. The state also qualified for additional dollars under ARPA and the CARES Act. “You used $277 million for broadband infrastructure thus far,” Fulford told legislators. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is tasked with awarding those funds. Most of the ARPA funds have to be spent by December 31, 2026, or must be returned to the federal treasury. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: Alabama making strides in broadband expansion
If you took a nighttime plane ride across much of the rural South in the early 1900s, you would see nothing but darkness on the ground below because electricity at the time was centered mainly around highly populated areas. But through federal, state, and private sector partnerships, electricity was brought to rural America to light up homes and power the products many of us today take for granted. Life without access to electricity is tough for most of us to even imagine, but there was a time not too long ago when many simply did not have it. The same is true today of high-speed internet access. Unfortunately, many homes, businesses, and communities in Alabama and across the country do not have access to this essential 21st-century necessity due to a lack of broadband infrastructure – which you can think of as the highway that connects individuals and businesses to internet providers. But there’s good news for Alabama. While states across the country are scrambling to build out the infrastructure needed to provide their residences with access to high-speed internet, Alabama is serving as an example of how to do it the right way. Over the past few years, Alabama has been ambitious – and innovative – in the way that it has set the state up to deal with the buildout of broadband infrastructure. Governor Kay Ivey, the state legislature, and groups such as the Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition, which includes organizations ranging from Alabama Power to the Alabama Hospital Association, deserve a lot of credit for the success the state is currently seeing on broadband. Along with Governor Ivey, State Senator Clay Schofield of Marshall County and State Representative Randall Shedd of Blount/Cullman Counties deserve accolades for their involvement with this expansion of broadband in our state. To name a few steps the state has taken, in 2017, Governor Ivey issued an executive order establishing the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) as the state agency to oversee broadband planning and expansion. Since 2018, Alabama has invested $64.1 million in state funding through grant awards supporting 100 projects through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. The state has committed to over $300 million more in state and federal funding for broadband expansion. In November 2021, ADECA established a new Alabama Digital Expansion Division, which was created through the Connect Alabama Act of 2021. This act also created the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority to work with ADECA to oversee broadband expansion in the state. In December 2021, ADECA released the Alabama Broadband Map and Alabama Connectivity Plan to guide the state’s efforts and recommend strategies to expand broadband. The map included months of collaborative work and the participation of 57 internet service providers to give a clear and accurate picture of broadband availability in the state down to the address level. Recently, Governor Ivey awarded a multi-million dollar grant to fund a “middle-mile” broadband network to make statewide broadband service availability a more attainable goal throughout Alabama. The grantee – Fiber Utility Network – will use existing fiber infrastructure and new infrastructure to create a middle mile network that includes almost 3,000 miles of fiber – including approximately 1,089 miles from electric co-ops, more than 1,000 miles leased from Alabama Power, and more than 500 miles that will need to be constructed. This is a big deal for the state, as more than 300 Alabama cities and towns with populations of less than 10,000 are within 10 miles of the planned path. As late as last week, a crowning coup to our broadband expansion occurred when it was announced that the U.S. Treasury has approved $191.8 million to go toward expanding broadband in the state. This grant will connect 55,000 households and businesses to broadband. Expanding broadband infrastructure so that all Alabamians have access to essential, high-speed internet is no easy task. It takes time, effort, financial investment, and the collaboration of both state and local elected officials, private sector groups, and others to successfully build out the infrastructure needed to get Alabamians connected. I believe that our state leaders and business community have been able to do that and have set up Alabama as a model for how to get it right when delivering broadband access to its citizens. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column is seen in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.
Alabama Sheriff’s offices to receive grants to make up for lost pistol permit funds
Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday announced the start of the Sheriffs’ grants for all of Alabama’s 67 counties. The sheriff’s departments in each of the state’s 67 counties will be receiving funds quarterly beginning in the first quarter of 2023. The amount of funds each county receives will be based on the money that those departments collected from pistol permit fees in 2022. “A couple of core tenants of the Ivey Administration is that we back the blue in the strongest way possible and that we support upholding our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” Gov. Ivey said. “As we have amended Alabama law to help our gun owners, we also worked to ensure our sheriffs received their critical funds, and I am proud that these grants will do that,” said Governor Ivey. “The Sheriffs’ Grants will provide them with funding for training, equipment, and other needs not provided by county commissions in their annual appropriations. We are proud to support the vital work our sheriffs’ departments do on a daily basis.” Ivey wrote on Twitter, “I just announced the start of the Sheriffs’ Grants for all 67 counties to ensure they receive these critical funds. Just as we support upholding Alabamians’ Second Amendment rights, we will always back the blue and are proud to do so.” To be eligible for grants under the Local Government Pistol Permit Revenue Loss Fund, Sheriffs need to be able to show a loss of pistol permit funds in 2023 from comparable 2022 figures. This decrease in funding is due to the passage of permitless carry by the legislature last year. All adult Alabamians, who have not lost their gun rights, no longer have to purchase a concealed carry permit (also called a pistol permit) to carry their handguns with them concealed on their person, in a purse or briefcase, or their vehicles. The Alabama Sheriffs Association had repeatedly warned state legislators that if permitless carry passed, it would mean a disastrous loss of revenue for Alabama’s sheriffs. Permitless carry was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ivey anyway; however, to address the sheriffs’ stated concerns over lost revenue, legislators created the Government Pistol Permit Revenue Loss Fund as part of the legislation. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is making disbursements to the sheriff’s offices based on reports collected by other state agencies. “ADECA intends to carry out our duties in this matter to ensure that Alabama’s sheriffs’ offices are compensated for their losses based on those shortages provided in the data,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management, and recreation development. The Local Government Pistol Permit Revenue Loss Fund is funded with an appropriation from the state general fund (SGF). Proponents of permitless carry claim that other states who have passed permitless carry have not experienced large declines in concealed carry permit sales and that over time, more citizens will carry firearms and thus will want the reciprocity benefits that having a permit provides to gun owners. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey announces more money for broadband coming to Alabama
The federal government is sending Alabama more money to extend broadband access to more people in the state. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced on Thursday that the U.S. Treasury Department has approved the state’s plan for the Capital Projects Fund, making $191.8 million available for broadband expansion. “Access to broadband is a necessity in today’s world, and I continue to make it a priority that our state has the full ability to be connected to high-speed internet,” said Gov. Ivey. “I often say that broadband expansion is a journey, not a short trip. These funds will enable us to take several more strides in that journey toward full access no matter where you live in Alabama.” The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the funds as part of a grant program to support projects to extend service to previously unserved areas of the state. “Under Governor Ivey’s leadership and with a strong team effort among the Legislature, internet service providers, and many others, the state has made progress in expanding access to high-speed internet,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “While the need is still great, these funds will enable us to make further progress in closing the digital divide in Alabama.” The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Last year the Alabama Legislature approved these dollars for broadband expansion. ADECA was then tasked with creating a plan outlining use of the funds and submitted it to the U.S. Treasury Department in September 2022. The Treasury announced approval of that plan on Thursday. ADECA’s Alabama Digital Expansion Division will roll out the competitive grant program in the coming months. The program will be modeled after the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund, which ADECA has administered since 2018. The grants will be available for internet service providers to make “last-mile” connections to previously unserved homes, businesses, and community institutions. Once connected, residents will have the ability to become a customer of the broadband providers. The broadband is not free, and residents don’t have to actually subscribe to the service. Grant projects approved must provide connections of at least 100 megabits per second download/100 megabits per second upload. The governor has made increasing access to broadband a top priority of her administration. She promised in her inaugural address to make Alabama a national model when it comes to broadband expansion. Since 2018, Ivey has awarded $63.9 million in state funds to support 100 projects through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. Once all those projects are completed, access to broadband will be available to approximately 61,000 more households, businesses and community institutions that currently have no option to subscribe. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey awards $2.5 million grant to create 800 jobs in Baldwin County
On Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded a $2.5 million grant to help a world leader in aluminum manufacturing and recycling build a plant in south Alabama and create 800 new jobs. Site work is now underway, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in October. Community Development Block Grant funds will provide the infrastructure required for Novelis Inc. to invest in a $2.4 billion facility in Bay Minette. The mega-plant will be on a 3,000-acre site off Alabama Highway 287 and Interstate 65. “This commitment from Novelis Inc. to construct a high-tech aluminum plant will have a major impact on Baldwin County and is evidence of Alabama’s strong business climate and its capable workforce,” Gov. Ivey stated. “I am pleased to award these funds in support of this project which will bring hundreds of job opportunities to the area.” In May 2022, Atlanta-based Novelis announced plans to build the low-carbon and energy-efficient aluminum rolling and recycling plant at the south Alabama location and use state-of-the-art equipment. “This investment marks the start of another transformational growth phase for Novelis,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group and the Novelis Board of Directors. “We continue to invest in each of the markets Novelis serves – from beverage can to automotive, aerospace, and specialties – and in all geographies. Novelis has a track record of success in delivering customers the low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions they seek, and we will continue that storied history with this investment and others to come.” Novelis provides products used in the automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing businesses. The grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), will be used to extend public water and sewer services to the plant. The city of Bay Minette has pledged $650,000 in labor and equipment for the utility extensions. “Projects like this do not just happen on their own. They take a lot of teamwork and cooperation by local leaders who work tirelessly to put all the pieces in place,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in being part of this project which will provide many benefits to Bay Minette, Baldwin County, and the entire region.” Gov. Ivey notified Mayor Robert Wills that the grant had been approved. Community Development Block Grant funding is made available to Alabama through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation, and water resource management.
Kay Ivey awards $3.4 million to help sexual assault victims
On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded $3.4 million in grants to support organizations that assist victims of sexual assault across Alabama. The grants will enable the nonprofit agencies to provide a variety of services to victims, including advocacy, referrals, counseling and emotional support, safety services, assistance with navigating the criminal and civil justice system, and assistance with filing victims’ compensation claims. “Those who have been victimized in such heinous ways need professional help as they navigate the criminal justice system and begin to heal from such awful trauma,” Gov. Ivey said in a press release. “I commend these organizations as they work to help victims find the assistance they need on their road to recovery.” The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to Alabama by the U.S. Department of Justice. “ADECA stands with Gov. Ivey as she continues to support the work of these organizations that help victims of sexual assault in Alabama,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell stated. “Through ADECA’s partnerships with these organizations, victims will have the help they need to begin rebuilding their lives.” Gov. Ivey awarded the following grants: Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, Inc. (Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties): $186,225 2nd Chance, Inc. (Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and Talladega counties): $136,160 The WellHouse (statewide): $537,752 Montgomery Area Family Violence Program Inc./Family Sunshine Center (Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes, and Montgomery counties): $254,358 Crisis Services of North Alabama Inc. (Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties): $212,702 Alabama Coalition Against Rape (statewide): $213,156 Victim Services of Cullman Inc. (Cullman and Winston counties): $58,225 SafeHouse of Shelby County Inc. (Chilton, Clay, Coosa, and Shelby counties): $243,301 University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa County): $340,935 Rape Counselors of East Alabama (Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties): $145,160 One Place of the Shoals (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, and Winston counties): $112,290 Baldwin Family Violence Shelter/The Lighthouse (Baldwin and Escambia counties): $64,915 Family Services of North Alabama (DeKalb and Marshall counties): $162,350 SAN, Inc./Turning Point (Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa counties): $42,975 Family Counseling Center of Mobile Inc. (Clarke, Mobile, and Washington counties): $209,145 Crisis Center Inc. (Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, and Walker counties): $473,680 ADECA manages a wide array of programs that support law enforcement and traffic safety, energy conservation, water resource management, economic development, and recreation.
Alabama counties to hold meetings to improve broadband access
On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced a new initiative to improve broadband access called the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program. The governor participated on Monday at the Montgomery County Commission in the first of a series of meetings that will occur in each Alabama county through the program organized by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). The state has long lagged behind the rest of the nation in broadband access – a weakness that was made abundantly clear during the COVID-19 global pandemic when hundreds of thousands of Alabamians had limited access to telemedicine, telecommuting, and e-learning during the extended forced economic shutdown where schools, government offices, doctors’ offices, and many businesses were shut down for months. “In 2022, being able to be connected at home, work, or on the go is absolutely necessary,” Ivey said recently at an event in Prattville where she announced $82.45 million to make statewide broadband more available and affordable to more people. “Achieving full broadband coverage is a journey, not a short trip, and today is an important step toward completing that journey,” Gov. Ivey stated. A representative from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will also be present to announce broadband grants. Gov. Ivey was joined by ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, NTIA Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson, Montgomery TechLab Program Director Charles Jackson, and local officials. Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told Alabama Today, “Broadband internet is a request that virtually every major business desires when locating within Alabama. Access to high-speed internet/fiber will increase our state’s ability to recruit jobs, improve healthcare, and enhance educational opportunities for students. Thank you to Governor Kay Ivey and ADECA for making efforts to address the unique challenges in all of Alabama’s 67 counties through the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program (TAP). Public funds combined with private sector investments is a team effort that helps initiatives come to fruition and ultimately enhances the quality of life for Alabamians.” The state is flush with hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act and the bipartisan infrastructure bill to address broadband issues. The state has tasked ADECA with being the lead agency in this effort. ADECA is administering the Broadband effort through its Alabama Digital Expansion Division, which the Legislature created to identify projects that will expand broadband access in Alabama. More details about the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program (TAP) will be released in the coming days. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey announces $1.3 million for state innovation and research
Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday awards of $1.3 million in order to stimulate new research and development at three Alabama universities and university systems hoping to help improve lives. The University of Alabama at Birmingham was awarded two grants totaling $666,910, the University of Alabama was awarded two grants totaling $486,026, and Auburn University received a grant of $184,773. “Often, the research and development that comes out of our universities has far-reaching and life-altering impacts across a wide array of issue areas,” said Gov. Ivey. “Alabama’s future outlook is largely dependent on our ability to find solutions to the problems of tomorrow, and I commend the students and professors for their dedication and time-consuming efforts to ensure Alabama remains the leader in innovation that it is.” The grants are from the Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund. The state-funded program was created in 2019 under the Alabama Innovation Act, which was approved by the Alabama State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ivey. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants. “ADECA is pleased to join with Governor Ivey in supporting and encouraging research and innovation at our state universities,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “It is amazing to see solutions arise out of challenges relating to science and technology and other fields of study.” The grants awards: University of Alabama at Birmingham • $316,910 to conduct research relating to the development of a new neurovascular stent for stroke treatment. • $350,000 to conduct research involving the development of a new material in dental root-canal treatment. University of Alabama • $399,831 to conduct research relating to development of a membrane for the removal of some man-made chemicals which may cause harm in humans. • $86,314 to conduct research involving the development of ultra-high performance concrete using materials available in Alabama Auburn University • $184,773 to conduct research relating to the development of an iron-based contrast agent in an angiography procedure that examines blood flow in the body. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation. Gov. Ivey grew up on a cattle farm in Wilcox County. She graduated from Auburn University and taught school in California before returning to Alabama to hold several positions in state government. In 2002 she was elected State Treasurer. She has served two terms as Treasurer and two as Lieutenant Governor. In 2017 she was elevated to Governor and then elected in her own right in 2018. Ivey seeks a second term in Tuesday’s general election. Ivey faces Libertarian nominee Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake and Democratic nominee Yolanda Flowers. There are also two write-in candidates seeking the office. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey awards $19.3 million in grants for community improvements
On Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced grant awards of nearly $19.3 million in grants to provide improvements in 49 Alabama towns, cities, and counties. The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) are federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HUD grants will be used by local governments to pave or resurface roads, eliminate blight and drainage problems, improve water or sewer service and build or improve local community centers and playgrounds. “Community Development Block Grants help communities address major needs whether it be supplying clean drinking water or eliminating dilapidated and unsafe structures,” said Gov. Ivey. “I congratulate the cities and counties who received grants in this keenly competitive process, and I wish them the best in improving their communities.” The CDBG money in Alabama is awarded annually in a competitive bid process that is based on several categories: small city (population 2,999 or less), large city (population 3,000 or more), county, and community enhancement. Planning grants are also awarded to help local governments examine needs and provide a vision for the future. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) administers the grants. “ADECA is pleased to be a part of a program that is so beneficial to cities and counties across our state,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell.” I commend community leaders and planners for their efforts to improve the lives of their residents and make their communities better places to live.” The grants awarded and projects (grouped by geographical region) are: North Alabama · Belk – $400,000 to replace a major water line. · Berry – $400,000 for sewer line replacement and related improvements. · Cherokee – $362,422 for drainage and ditch improvements. · Colony – $399,827 for street improvements. · Courtland – $400,000 for water line upgrades and improvements. · Garden City – $389,800 to upgrade the town’s sewer system. · Guinn – $304,000 for street resurfacing and drainage improvements. · Hodges – $329,000 for downtown revitalization, including razing dilapidated buildings. · Jacksonville – $500,000 to replace sewer lines. · Lexington – $397,907 for water and fire suppression improvements. · Oxford – $500,000 for drainage improvements and demolition of dilapidated structures. · Pell City – $500,000 for water system improvements. · Rainsville – $500,000 to repair and replace sewer lines. · Ranburne – $400,000 to renovate the town’s senior citizen center. · Scottsboro – $400,000 to demolish and clear 26 dilapidated structures. · Steele – $400,000 to replace a main water line. · Valley Head – $400,000 for street and drainage improvements. · Winfield – $342,000 to demolish 18 dilapidated and abandoned/vacant structures. Central Alabama · Brent – $500,00 for sewer line rehabilitation. · Coosa County – $135,801 to resurface American Legion Road near Goodwater and Coosa County Road 38 in the Mt. Olive Community. · Coosada – $350,000 to demolish 30 dilapidated vacant or abandoned structures throughout the town. · Crenshaw County – $500,000 to resurface and relocate water lines on Starhope Church Road. · Forkland – $400,000 to upgrade the town’s park including constructing a pavilion and concession stand/bathroom facility. · Hale County – $500,000 for water system rehabilitation along Hale County Road 64 · Luverne – $400,000 for sewer line improvements and street paving. · Mosses – $400,000 for the resurfacing of Main Street. · Notasulga- $32,000 to develop a comprehensive city plan. · Randolph County – $500,000 to resurface and improve drainage along Randolph County roads 30 and 17 in the Rock Mills Community. · Roanoke – $500,000 to rehabilitate and resurface five streets. South Alabama · Ashford – $234,000 to make improvements on four streets. · Barbour County – $400,000 to construct a new senior citizen center in Clio. · Butler – $222,750 for a sewer line replacement. · Castleberry – $400,000 to rehabilitate the town’s water system and several streets, including adding fire hydrants. · Clayhatchee – $202,366 to provide lighting for a baseball field and to build a pole barn at the recreation park. · Coffeeville- $400,000 for roof replacement at the town’s community center. · Elba – $500,000 for street resurfacing and drainage improvements. · Florala- $375,655 to renovate the former Florala Middle School gymnasium. · Florala – $32,000 to develop a comprehensive city plan. · Geneva- $500,000 for housing rehabilitation as part of its neighborhood revitalization program. · Geneva County – $474,667 to resurface several streets in the Bellwood community. · Gordon – $400,000 for sewer line rehabilitation. · Jackson – $500,000 for drainage improvements. · Louisville – $400,000 for housing rehabilitation and demolition and clearance. · Madrid – $229,200 to resurface and make improvements on two city streets. · Monroe County – $500,000 to rehabilitate a portion of the Excel Water System serving the unincorporated Hillside Community. · New Brockton – $392,900 for housing rehabilitation. · Opp – $400,000 to resurface several streets. · Pinkard – $342,177 to resurface and make improvements on several city streets. · Vredenburgh – $337,125 to make improvements at the town’s community park including construction of a pavilion. · Washington County – $500,000 to resurface Mitchell Road east of Millry. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management, and recreation development. Kay Ivey is running for re-election on November 8. She faces Democrat Yolanda Rochelle Flowers and Libertarian Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake. Ivey was elevated to the office in 2017 when Gov. Robert Bentley resigned. She was elected to her own term in 2018. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey awards $82.45 million in broadband grants to Middle-Mile project
On Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded an $82.45 million grant to help make statewide broadband service availability more attainable for more people across Alabama. Ivey made the announcement at the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative headquarters building just North of Prattville. “Achieving full broadband coverage is a journey, not a short trip, and today is an important step toward completing that journey,” Gov. Ivey stated. “The Alabama Middle-Mile project – the infrastructure setting part of this journey – is going to lead our state to be the model for the nation when it comes to providing broadband capabilities. In 2022, being able to be connected at home, work, or on the go is absolutely necessary, and this is certainly key to making that a reality.” Gov. Ivey explained that the funds will be used by Fiber Utility Network, a corporation formed by eight rural electric cooperatives to fund a “middle-mile” broadband network that will have a statewide impact. The eight co-ops include Central Alabama, Coosa Valley, Covington, Cullman, Joe Wheeler, North Alabama, PowerSouth, and Tombigbee. Ivey was joined at the event by state leaders, including Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia), President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate Greg Reed (R-Jasper), State Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro), State Rep. Randall Shedd (R-Baileytown), and Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell. “The project is the springboard to supplying broadband services for rural residents, businesses, educational facilities, and other community anchors,” said Director Boswell. “I commend the Fiber Utility Network for their willingness to undertake this necessary step to ensure more Alabamians have access to these services.” ADECA is administering the award through its Alabama Digital Expansion Division, which the Legislature created in order to identify projects that will expand broadband access in Alabama. “In terms of broadband, this is a great leap forward,” said Sen. Scofield, chairman of the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority board. “Governor, you really are America’s broadband governor, and we can’t thank you enough.” “Connectivity is really the great equalizer,” Scofield continued. “This will really put us at the forefront of broadband in Alabama, and it will help us expand much quicker and at a more economical cost.” “This project is probably the most significant step we’ve taken to get high-speed internet access to everyone in Alabama,” said Rep. Shedd, who serves as co-chairman of the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority board. “I could not be any more excited,” Sen. Reed told reporters. “I would like to congratulate the Governor, Sen. Scofield, and Director Boswell. This is the largest thing we could do for our infrastructure.” “This is a tremendous step in the right direction to digitally connect all of Alabama, especially the Black Belt,” said Sen. Singleton. “I am proud to stand with Governor Ivey to award these needed funds to elevate these communities and provide a service that will have an impact on the entire state.” “Thank you, Governor, for always including rural Alabama in your vision for the state,” Singleton said. “This is a game changer.” The Alabama Middle-Mile Network project involves filling in gaps in broadband expansion which will hopefully result in more cost-effective and feasible ways to provide broadband service availability to residents in rural areas. Tom Stackhouse is the president of the Fiber Utility Network. “The eight electric cooperatives that make up the Fiber Utility Network are honored to be a part of building a middle mile network to bring internet service closer to those Alabamians,” said Stackhouse. “We want to thank Governor Ivey and the staff at ADECA for the vision, leadership, and assistance to make this a reality.” Chris Rush is the President of Marshall Medical Center – a hospital in North Alabama. “There are two crucial elements to health care. The first is having quality care, top-quality doctors, nurses, staff, and technology, and also the ability to access that care. In a lot of places and areas, that is not possible,” Rush said. “It is easier to connect through telemedicine with a specialist in a network located at a central urban hospital like we are with the Huntsville Hospital system. I would like to express my gratitude to Governor Ivey, Senator Scofield, and others.” The Fiber Utility Network will create a middle-mile network connecting almost 3,000 miles of existing and new fiber infrastructure within three years. When complete, the network will provide improved access to unserved areas for the last-mile projects that provide actual broadband availability to homes, businesses, and schools. Once connected, residents will have the ability to become a customer of the last-mile broadband providers. Funds for the project are being provided through the American Rescue Plan Act. The use of those funds was approved earlier this year by the Alabama Legislature. Alabama still has over a billion dollars in ARPA funds yet to appropriate. Reed said that the Legislature will address further funding for broadband, “As quickly as the legislature can address this issue.” “I told a reporter that we should spend all of it on this,” Shedd said. “That’s what it is going to take.” To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
