City of Andalusia:
The City of Andalusia received $375,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to construct water system, storm drainage, and sanitary sewer system improvements in west Andalusia. Water and sewer improvements will take place on Dillard, Davis and King avenues, benefiting 85 persons (98.65% Low to Moderate Income). Flooding within the project area along Carnell, Feagin and Beatrice streets will be addressed as well, benefiting 198 persons (98.20% Low to Moderate Income). In addition, the City will be providing new sewer to homes on Jones Drive and South Cotton Street. Sewer improvements will benefit 31 persons (100% Low to Moderate Income). The total project cost is $580,725. The City of Andalusia is contributing $205,725 (35%) in local matching funds to the project.
Town of Kinsey:
The Town of Kinsey was awarded a $224,036 FY 2012 State of Alabama Community Development B lock Grant(CDBG) in the Community Enhancement Fund category for financial assistance to convert a vacant structure into a Senior Center. The Town of Kinsey will inject approximately $25,000 in local cash funds into the proposed project The project will renovate the existing 2,581 square feet structure into a Senior Center which will contain a multi-purpose room, kitchen, living room, crafts room, restrooms, office, and storage. In addition,approximately 900 square feet of existing structure will be demolished and restrooms and a drop-off will be constructed. The estimated cost of the project is $248,931. The senior center will allow senior adults to participate in activities that can be offered by senior programs. Town of Kinsey Mayor Jason Reneaucommented, “ The senior adults in Kinsey as well as this entire community are extremely excited about the addition of a Senior Center to our Town. Without this grant, the Town could not have addressed this need for our senior adults.”State Senator Harri Anne Smith who represents the Town of Kinsey in the Alabama Legislature stated,“I am so proud to represent small communities such as Kinsey and I know how important it is to serve our senior adults. I commend the Town of Kinsey for pursuing this grant opportunity and working to provide a good quality of life for the citizens of Kinsey. I also would like to thank ADECA Director Jim Byard, Jr. and Governor Bentley for this grant assistance.”In addition, State epresentative Dexter Grimsley who represents the Town of Kinsey in the Alabama House of Representatives was on hand to congratulate the Town of Kinsey. According to the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, who developed the successful grant project for the Town of Kinsey and who will administer the ADECA CDBG grant for the Town, work should be completed by the fall of 2013.
County of Geneva:
The Geneva County Commission was awarded a 2012 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) in the amount of $137,630.25. This grant will be used to assist the City of Taylor in the expans ion of public water service in unserved areas in Geneva County.The proposed improvements will install approximately 6,200 linear feet of water mains and associated improvements, including fire protection, to the Newton Creek Road area. The estimated cost of the project is $152,922.50, with the City of Taylor providing the local match of $15,292.25. This project will benefit 24 households with 54 residents having the opportunity to connect to safe, reliable public water. The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (SEARP&DC) and CDG Engineers assisted with the application and project construction should be completed late summer 2013.
City of Level Plains:
The City of Level Plains received a $240,239.00 Community Development Block Grant from the State of Alabama for new water lines to provide fire protection and better water quality for citizens along A – H Streets in 2011. The City contributed $26,693.00 in matching funds. The project benefited 258 people, of which 97.49% are of low and moderate income status. The citizens in this area were relying on 20-30 year old water lines
City of Daleville:
The City of Daleville received a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant from the State of Alabama for street improvements in 2011. The streets are Baxter Street, Pridmore Street, Donell Circle, A.M. Windham Drive, a section of Old Newton Road, Fannie Morris Drive, Chinook Drive, Caribou Street, and Valley Drive. The project benefited 367 citizens, of which 91.64% are of low and moderate income status. The City contributed $35,654.00 in matching funds.
City of Abbeville:
The City of Abbeville received a $100,000.00 Economic Development Community Development Block Grant from the State of Alabama for extension of sewer lines to serve American Machine and Manufacturing, Inc. in 2011. The company created 10 new jobs and invested over $42,700. The City and Water and Sewer Board contributed$30,827.52 in matching funds.
City of Abbeville:
The City of Abbeville was recently awarded a FY 2012 State of Alabama Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $350,000 for street and drainage improvements along a section of East Alabama Street, for sewer system improvements, and for demolition of some structu res in the Girard Area of the City. These improvements have been greatly needed for a long time and the City has diligently worked to find the funds to make the improvements over the past years. The total estimated cost of the project is approximately $4 21,093, with the City contributing $71,093 in local cash match. The Mayor, City Council, and local citizens are very thankful to Governor Robert Bentley and Jim Byard, Jr., ADECA Director, for this vital State of Alabama grant assistant that will provide funding for a much needed project in the City of Abbeville. The project is expected to begin in January 2013 and be finished by August 2013. The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission assisted the City of Abbeville and local citiz ens with the development of this project and will be providing administrative services to the City during the implementation of the project.
City of Elba:
The City of Elba received from Alabama Department of Community and Economic Development a 2012 Community Enhancement Fund Community Development Block Grant for street improvements of ten streets. The streets are Brunson Street, Trammell Street, Dr. Robert s Drive, a section of Adkinson Street, a section of Tucker Street, Calhoun Street, Riverview Circle, Washington Avenue, King Circle, and Champ McCollough Drive. The project will benefit a total of 203 beneficiaries of which 201 (98.92%) have been determin ed to be of low and moderate income status. The total estimated cost of the project is $277,476.67. The City of Elba is contributing $27,476.67 in cash matching funds to the project. Rachel Armstrong with Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Developm ent Commission and Bobby Lee with CDG Engineers worked with the City in bringing the project to fruition.
County of Barbour :
The Barbour County Commission was awarded a State of Alabama CDBG grant for a new firetruck to be owned and operated by the Green’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department (GCRVFD). This grant was made possible through a 2011 State of Alabama CDBG Community Enhancement Fund grant of $250,000 to the Barbour County Commission and local matching funds provided by the Green’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department. The GCVFD fire service area, one of the largest in the county, encompasses approximately 50 square miles in northern and northwestern Barbour County serving about 200 rural households The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission provided assistance to the Barbour County Commission, the grant recipient, in the development of the grant application and provided technical grant administration for the project.
County of Dale:
The Dale County Commission was awarded a $334,826.88 FY 2012 State of Alabama Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the County Competitive Fund category for financial assistance to resurface streets in Dale County. The Dale County Road and Bridge Department will provide in kind services (non ‐ cash) for engineering design and inspection in performing street improvements in six (6) separate unincorporated areas within the County that include: Area A: Beaver Run Circle; Area B: Dogwood Street; Area C: King Street/Michael Street; Area D: Coleman Drive/Douglas Drive and County Road 345; Area E: Sellers Court/Hillside Court & Drive and Area F: Brandi Lane/Machelle Drive. The project will resurface and revitalize the identified severe street problems for these areas directly impacting 152 occupied households and directly benefitting 414 residents living in the project areas in Dale County . The estimated cost of the project is $377,223.88, with the Dale County Road and Bridge Department providing local in kind match for engineering design and inspection services. The project will completely revitalize 12,810 linear feet of substandard streets and will resolve safety issues in theproposed project areas as well as provide a significant quality of life improvement for the project area beneficiaries. The project will provide for a low cost per beneficiary of only $750.79 in CDBG grant funding benefitting the project area households and citizens within Dale County. Dale County Commission Chair Judge Eunice Hagler commented, “Weare most appreciative of this grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) that will improve these project area streets. Without this financial grant assistance, the County could not have addressed this need and we look forward to the residents living in the project areas attaining better streets to access their homes and property through this grant award”. State Representative Steve Clouse who represents Dale County in the Alabama Legislature stated “I am roud to have assisted Dale County in working to obtain these grant dollars to benefit thecitizens in Dale County living on substandard streets. This grant from ADECA will go a long way to addressing some of these problems. I want to personally thank ADECA Director Jim Byard, Jr. and Governor Bentley for this grant assistance for our citizens”. According to the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, who developed the successful grant project for Dale County and who will administer the ADECA CDBG grant for the County, work should be completed by the spring of 2013. END.
City of Clayton:
The City of Clayton has been awarded a FY 2012 State of Alabama Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $225,000.00 for the development of new recreational/playground facilities as part of a continuing implementation of improvements as a part of the long range master development plan for “Peanut Butter Hill Park” located adjacent to Clayton City Hall. The recreational/playground facilities will provide a significant new community enhancement for the residents of Clayton and will complement and enhance the area adjacent to the Clayton City Hall and the public walking trail that has been recently expanded. The estimated overall cost of the project is $250,000.00 with the City of Clayton committing to a local cash match of $25,000.00. Clayton Mayor Rebecca P. Beasley commented, “On behalf of the City of Clayton City Council and the citizens of Clayton, I want to thank Governor Robert Bentley and Jim Byard Jr., ADECA Director, for this vital State of Alabama grant assistance that will provide funding to assist our City in this project. This project will greatly benefit our citizens and will continue the development of the Peanut Butter Hill Park area and will complement our expanded public walking trail. We are so excited to get started on this project and I look forward to the community enhancement benefits it will bring to Clayton and our citizens who need this new recreational area”. State Senator Billy Beasley and Representative Berry Forte, were also recognized as being instrumental in obtaining the CDBG grant funds for the City of Clayton according to Mayor Beasley. The new recreational/playground facilities are expected to be completed in the spring of 2013. The Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission assisted the City of Clayton and local citizens with the development of this project and will be providing administrative services to the City of Clayton during the implementation of the project.
City of Headland:
The City of Headland was awarded a FY 2013 CDBG Economic Development Fund grant of $83,264.00 along with local cash match of $20,816.00 from the City to extend municipal sanitary sewer to assist Todd Syrup Farm & Country Market LLC in an expansion of their business. The project allowed the company to create 20 new jobs. Mr. Joe Todd, Owner of Todd Farms is shown with State Representative Dexter Grimsley of Newville, Headland Mayor Ray Marler and City Council members with the grant check at City Hall.
Town of Black:
The Town of Black, in Geneva County, was awarded a total of $134,880 in a FY 2013 CDBG grant project to establish a town recreational park, pavilion and walking trail. The Town is contributing $10,000 in local funds to complete the project. Shown at the check presentation ceremony at Black Town Hall are State Representative Donnie Chesteen of Geneva, Geneva County Commission (& SEARP&DC Vice-Chairman), Chairman Fred Hamic, Black Mayor Debi Showers and local officials.
Town of Columbia:
The Town of Columbia received a FY 2011 CDBG Community Enhancement Fund grant of $250,000 along with local cash matching funds of $50,000 for the construction of a new Senior Citizens Center on South Main St. The project will provide a facility for the 79 active seniors who regularly attend activities through the Town’s program. The new center was named in honor of long time former Mayor James N. Green. Shown are local officials accepting the symbolic grant check.
Town of River Falls:
The Town of River Falls was granted a FY 2013 CDBG grant of $250,000 for street improvements to address the community development need of deteriorated streets in low and moderate income areas within the town. On hand to present a CDBG grant check to Town officials are State Senator Jimmy Holley of Elba and Representative Mike Jones of Andalusia..
Town of Columbia:
The Town of Columbia was awarded a FY 2014 CDBG grant of $63,578.00 with local cash funds of $10,000 from the Town for relocation of a sanitary sewer outfall line to the Chattahoochee River. The project will directly benefit 468 residents including 77% who are classified as low and moderate income. Columbia Mayor Lanny Lancaster and Town Council members are shown with SEARP&DC planner Darrell Rigsby.
Town of Newton:
The Town of Newton was awarded a FY 2012 CDBG grant of $74,616.00 with local cash matching funds of $8,291.00 to install new sidewalks along Alabama Highway 134, a bike lane along Hartford Street and a crosswalk at Newton Elementary School. The project provided a safe walking path for residents, bicyclists and students in Newton. Shown at the check award ceremony at Town Hall are State Senator Harri Ann Smith of Slocomb, Representative Steve Clouse of Ozark , Mayor Ted Stanford and Town Council members.