GOLD RIDGE, Ala. – Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, announced Saturday during the monthly breakfast sponsored by the Gold Ridge Volunteer Fire Department that he has secured $24,000 in grant funding for the community.
According to Gudger’s office, the funding, which came from the Cullman County Legislative Fund, will be split over two projects and used “to pave the parking lot at the Gold Ridge Community Center and the Gold Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.” The source of the Legislative Fund is TVA payments in lieu of taxes to the State.
“The men and women who volunteer and jump to action during fire and medical emergencies in Gold Ridge are selfless heroes who deserve every convenience we can provide them,” Gudger said. “The Gold Ridge Community Center is also the heart of the community that provides a comfortable place for residents to gather, vote and break bread together, so I am happy to provide these funds for its maintenance.”
Gudger said he is attempting to secure additional grant funding that will take the repaving project all the way to completion. His office said he is applying for a $30,000 grant from the Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers & Valleys RC&D Council. Those funds are appropriated by the Alabama Legislature. Gold Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ryan Whisenant noted that the backing provided by public officials like Gudger helps his group protect the community from fire and fatalities.
“The support that Sen. Gudger and the Legislature provide to the Gold Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and other departments like ours across the state is immensely important,” Whisenant said. “Whenever our department requires funding, equipment or other resources, we know that we can call Sen. Gudger to help get us what we need.”
