MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $200,000 grant to revitalize one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of Jasper.
The funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be combined with a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant awarded in January by Gov. Ivey. The two grants will be used to replace vital infrastructure, remove blight and install streetscaping in the 19th Street neighborhood in west Jasper.
“This project will ensure that residents have safe water to drink and provide other health and safety measures.” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased that these grants will improve the quality of life for residents in this neighborhood.”
The city will replace a total of 14,485 feet of water, sewer and stormwater lines and resurface up to 1.2 miles of streets and add new sidewalks. Three dilapidated buildings in the area will be razed.
Water lines in the area are more than 75 years old and subject to frequent breaks. Additionally, sewer lines have been described by city officials as in poor condition and often result in sewage backups. Inadequate drainage of storm water often results in pooling for the area of more than 80 households after periods of rain.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.
“I commend local representatives for their diligence in seeing this project to fruition and for having the foresight to apply for and combine these two grants,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I am sure residents in this neighborhood will be pleased with the results of this project.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor David P. O’Mary that the grant had been approved. The city has pledged about $587,000 in local funds for the project.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Walker County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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Jim Plott or Mike Presley
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