PHOTO: Governor Bentley with Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter, Valley Head Mayor Kenneth Hammond, Councilman Scott Gifford, and Senator Steve Livingston. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Last Wednesday, Governor Robert Bentley visited Northeast Alabama Community College to award Community Development Block Grants.
“Truly these grants are the lifeblood of Alabama,” said Bentley. “There are so many places that need help in rural Alabama, and this area is no different.”
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.
The governor awarded grants to Stevenson, Section, Collinsville, Valley Head, Pisgah, Paintrock, and Scottsboro.
The following are the grants awarded:
- Stevenson: $125,000.00
- Grants will assist in the location of new restaurant, by providing funds for the infrastructure of the new restaurant.
- Section (2): $246,500.00 + $35,000
- The $246,500 grant will provide funding for sewer hookups for 56 households
- $35,000 will be used at Weathington to pave a walking trail and install drainage at Weathington Park.
- Collinsville: $346,392.14
- To repave streets and improve drainage.
- Valley Head: $349,500.00
- To be used to alleviate flooding problems in the town.
- Pisgah: $350,000.00
- Will replace 2 inch waterlines with 6 inch waterlines, and nine new fire hydrants
- Paint Rock: $350,000.00
- To be used for streets. To provide an easier way through town and alleviate flood problems.
- Scottsboro: $450,000.00
- It will be used to enhance drainage on streets, and will benefit 186 people.
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $2,252,392.14
"We hope this grant will help our downtown area and alleviate our flooding issues and promote overall growth in Valley Head," said Councilman Scott Gifford of Valley Head.
"We're thankful for this opportunity, and we're especially thankful for our town clerk Debra Rhodes, who wrote these grants, and provided the necessary information to submit for these grants," added Gifford.
Bentley also took the chance to thank the people who do the hard work behind the scenes to get the grants.
“I want to thank some people who never get thanked. Somebody has to write these grants,” said Bentley.
“The grant writers do a great job,” he added.
“This is a great part of the state and I’m glad to be here,” Bentley said.
