County gets grant for Rock Mills roads

On Thursday of last week, Gov. Kay Ivey announced she had awarded nearly $19.3 million to provide improvements in 49 Alabama towns, cities and counties.

The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) will enable local governments to pave or resurface roads, eliminate blight and drainage problems, improve water or sewer service and build or improve local community centers and playgrounds.

“Community Development Block Grants help communities address major needs whether it be supplying clean drinking water or eliminating dilapidated and unsafe structures,” said Ivey. “I congratulate the cities and counties who received grants in this keenly competitive process, and I wish them the best in improving their communities.”

The CDBG program in Alabama is awarded annually on a competitive basis in several categories: small city (population 2,999 or less), large city (population 3,000 or more), county and community enhancement. Planning grants are also awarded to help local governments examine needs and provide a vision for the future.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“ADECA is pleased to be a part of a program that is so beneficial to cities and counties across our state,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “I commend community leaders and planners for their efforts to improve the lives of their residents and make their communities better places to live.

Grants awarded and projects approved locally are:

¥ Randolph County – $500,000 to resurface and improve drainage along Randolph County Roads 30 and 17 in the Rock Mills community.

¥ City of Roanoke – $500,000 to rehabilitate and resurface five streets.

ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.