MONTGOMERY, Ala. – More than 60 Alabama cities and counties will soon see improvements in their communities thanks to almost $19.4 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDGB) awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey, who announced the awardees Monday. Included is the Town of Holly Pond, which was awarded $250,000 to construct a new senior citizen center.
The Cullman County Economic Development (CCED) office submitted the grant request for Holly Pond, according to CCED Director Bradley Williams. The new senior center will be located along Lions Park Road across from Guy Hunt Museum and Library.
“This is great news for the senior citizens of Holly Pond and the surrounding communities. Senior centers are vital for the health and wellness of our senior citizen community and it allows for engagement among seniors,” said Cullman County Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons.
“I would first like to praise our staff here at Cullman County Economic Development, who work hard every day to secure grant funding for our communities,” said Williams. “I would also like to commend the mayor and council for their forward thinking. This is a great partnership between Cullman County, the Commission on Aging and the Town.”
“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.”
Grants are awarded on competitive basis in several categories including small city, large city, county, community enhancement, Black Belt and planning. Some cities received planning grants in addition to other competitive grants. In most instances, awarded governments are required to allocate some local funds to projects as a match for the grants.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“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.”
Other grants awarded and projects (in north Alabama) include:
North Alabama
Ardmore– $350,000 to replace sewer lines and ensure safe disposal of sewage
Colbert County – $182,876 to raise the roadbed and improve drainage to eliminate pavement flooding on Gnat Pond Road, Cassie Davis Street and Marthaler Lane
Courtland– $350,000 to replace aging water lines and provide safe drinking water to residents
Fort Payne– $450,000 to demolish and clear the abandoned Fort Payne General Hospital complex
Glencoe– $450,000 to replace sewer lines on East Air Depot Road, Taylor Road and Lonesome Bend Road
Haleyville– $450,000 to upgrade sewer, water and streets in several areas of the city
Limestone County – $301,000 to provide pavement and drainage improvements on Chapman Hollow Road south of the town of Lester. The project is designed to alleviate flooding.
Morgan County– $250,000 to upgrade and add an addition to the Falk Senior Center
North Courtland– $347,300 to improve drainage along Davis Street and other parts of the town
Red Bay– $445,000 to improve sewer lines in the southeast part of the city
Sheffield– $210,000 to demolish and clear multiple dilapidated residential and commercial structures throughout the city
Tuscumbia– $365,000 to raze and clear 23 dilapidated structures located throughout the city
Vina – $348,650 to install a new boost pump at a water storage tank to improve water flow and pressure
Winfield– $450,000 to improve drainage and upgrade streets to alleviate flooding along Regal Street
