Gov. Ivey awards grants to community agencies

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced on June 5 that she has awarded more than $17 million in grants to community agencies to provide relief for Alabamians who faced unemployment and economic difficulty as a result of COVID-19.

These Community Service Block Grants will be distributed to 20 community action agencies to provide services to qualified people in Alabama.

“COVID-19 has disrupted lives in many ways and in varying degrees,” Ivey said. “It is my hope that the services provided by these funds will help people as they work toward a quick and complete economic recovery.”

Funds from the grant can be used in a range of social and emergency services for senior citizens, people with disabilities and low-income families, including those that suffered financial loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. The type of assistance provided will be determined by local agencies based on the needs and may include food or rental assistance or help with prescription medicine.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants, which come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ADECA’s Director is former Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell.

“Gov. Ivey is determined to help Alabama and Alabamians emerge from the pandemic as strong if not stronger than ever,” Boswell said. “ADECA stands ready to be a part of that process with the funds made available through our programs.”

Coffee County’s Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership (SEACAP) received $827,944 from the block grant. SEACAP serves Coffee, Barbour, Geneva, Henry and Houston Counties. In total, 20 community agencies around the state received funds from the grant.