Governor Bentley Announces Grants Totaling Over $990,000 for Coffee and Covington Counties

By: Jake Jacobs, Aide-de-Camp & Public Affairs Specialist

RED LEVEL (Governor’s Office) – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday awarded three Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) totaling $994,793 to the Town of Red Level, Coffee County Commission and the City of Opp.

“These CDBG grants go a long way in lifting up communities in rural Alabama,” Governor Bentley said. “These communities are better prepared to grow their economies and attract businesses when they have the resources to make improvements to their infrastructure. Without the CDBG funds these municipalities would not be able to afford much needed upgrades. We are proud to be able to award these very important grants to make sure future growth is possible.”

The town of Red Level was awarded a $240,000 grant that will be used to improve accessibility for people with disabilities at an outdoor multi-purpose stadium in Red Level. The Coffee County Commission was awarded a $310,000 grant that will provide funds to improve water systems along portions of Highway 87 and County Road 410. The city of Opp was awarded a $444,793 grant that will be used to repair sewer lines along Kolb, Bailey, Foreman, Barnes, Hardage and Jewell Streets.

CDBG grants are made available through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

“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 Opp, Coffee County and the town of Red Level.”

The CDBG program provides communities with resources to meet development needs and goes to affect the lives of millions of people throughout the country.