MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $500,000 grant to improve a vital public service in the city of Winfield.
The grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will fund upgrades to part of a city sewer line. The upgrades are required to adequately serve multiple businesses in the city’s Industrial Business Park and along the city’s rapidly growing Interstate 22 corridor.
“Economic growth often comes with increased infrastructure needs, and this project will increase commercial sewer line capacity in Winfield,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend city leaders for undertaking this project to ensure that Winfield is prepared to accommodate further business expansion.”
The Winfield Water Works and Sewer Board plans to replace 400 feet of sewer line and make major improvements to three lift stations which carry sewage to the wastewater treatment plant. Local leaders say the service improvements are needed to meet the needs of several existing and future businesses in the industrial park and nearby area. The improvements also will mean less stress on the system and reduce the possibility of a sewage backup or malfunction.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.
“For more than 50 years, the Appalachian Regional Commission has been assisting communities in central and north Alabama with major projects that improve quality of life,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to be a partner in this project that will benefit Winfield and Marion County.”
Gov. Ivey notified James Markham, chairman of the Winfield Water Works and Sewer Board that the grant had been approved. Local funding of $777,000 has been pledged 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 Marion 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.
-30-
Media Contact
Jim Plott or Mike Presley
ADECA Communications and External Affairs
(334) 242-5525
