Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey recently announced that she will award almost $2.9 million to help five north Alabama counties recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This award will go to Cullman, Dekalb, Madison, Marshall and Walker counties as part of more than $40 million that was allocated to Alabama.  The monies are part of a special Community Development Block Grant program funded from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The grant funds are required to be used for projects relating to the recovery from or preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus or any future infectious diseases.

“Alabamians are eager to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind them and get on with their lives,” Governor Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these funds which will accelerate that recovery process and help us return to normal.”

DeKalb County was awarded $500,000 and will use funds to construct two climate-controlled buildings which can be used when necessary for health services.

DeKalb County EMA Deputy Director Michael Posey, updated the DeKalb County Commission on Tuesday,  that these funds would provide storm shelters in the two communities.   Cartersville in the North end of DeKalb and Kilpatrick on the South end of the County will receive multi-purpose buildings.  

“These buildings can be used for vaccines, food distribution and will be FEMA rated for storm shelters” stated Posey.  “These buildings will be very beneficial to the communities.”