New Brockton, Daleville receive community block grants

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey awarded more than 60 Alabama cities and counties a total of $19.4 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) on Nov. 23.

The CDBG will be made available to repair dangerous roads, provide safe water, build community and senior centers, improve sewer systems and more.

Daleville received $292,500 to replace water lines along Culpepper Street, Wells Avenue, Ennis Street and Holman Street. New Brockton also received $314,000 to renovate and upgrade three sewer pump stations to improve sewage collection. Ozark received $250,000 to resurface a portion of nine streets including Brown Drive, Lowery Road, Julian Street, Wilson Avenue, Hall Drive, McDonald Avenue, Woodview Avenue, Brookview Drive and Parkview Drive.

“Community Development Block Grants help raise the living standards for thousands of Alabamians who may have struggled with dangerous roads, sewage backed up in their homes or find it difficult to wash clothes because of inadequate water pressure,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants and I must commend those local elected officials who recognized those struggles and responded to address needs in their communities.”

Other areas in the Wiregrass to receive CDBG funds are Ariton, Crenshaw County, Cottonwood, Dozier, Eufaula, Hartford, Headland, Florala, Pike County and Troy.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants from funds made available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis in several categories, which include small city, large city, county, community enhancement, Black Belt and planning. Some cities received planning grants in addition to other competitive grants. According to a news release, awarded governments are required to allocate local funds to projects as a match for the grants.

“Many local governments, particularly this year with the COVID-19 pandemic, often struggle for funds to provide basic services for residents,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in awarding these funds from the CDBG program, which enables governments to accomplish worthwhile projects to make their communities better places to live.”