Governor Bentley Announces $2.2 Million in Grants for DeKalb and Jackson Counties

By: Yasamie August, Press Secretary & NGA Coordinator

RAINSVILLE (Governor’s Office) – Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday visited Rainsville, Alabama to announce seven Community Development Block Grants for cities in DeKalb and Jackson Counties. The Governor was joined by Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Jim Byard and local Alabama legislators to present $2.2 million to be used to replace sewer lines, improve road conditions and enhance economic development for cities in north Alabama.

“Rural communities are the backbone of our state and I am honored to present over $2 million in CDBG award letters to mayors in DeKalb and Jackson counties who are working hard to make Alabama a great state,” Governor Bentley said. “Without CDBG funding, typical improvement projects would be too costly for many communities to attempt without borrowing money or reducing existing services or programs.”

The cities benefiting from the grants are Stevenson, Section, Valley Head, Collinsville, Pisgah, Paint Rock and Scottsboro. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs manage the CDBG program in Alabama from funding made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“ADECA’s community development block grants are important investments in the quality of life for Alabama communities,” ADECA Director Jim Byard, Jr. said. “This year, ADECA received 108 applications for projects that support economic and community development.   We were able to award 54 projects totaling $17.5 million in investments. I am proud of the projects chosen this year, especially these projects for Northeast Alabama.”

Wednesday’s grant announcement took place at Northeast Alabama Community College.

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