MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a grant of slightly more than $680,000 to replace the town of Cottonwood’s fire station, which was destroyed by a tornado in January.
Leaders of the Houston County town applied for the Community Development Block Grant after a powerful and deadly EF-2 tornado destroyed several homes, businesses and government buildings in the downtown area.
The Cottonwood Fire Department’s firetrucks and equipment are currently being stored in a local farmer’s barn and at the Hodgesville Fire Department about 12 miles away. The department consists of 15 volunteer members and serves the town’s entire population of 1,440 residents.
“The tornado that struck Cottonwood was devastating, and the loss of the town’s only fire station created a critical need,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased to award this grant that will help the town rebuild the fire station and again provide its residents with access to prompt and efficient emergency services.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“After meeting with local leaders and state legislators, we were able to determine that this project qualified for a grant through the CDBG urgent need fund,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of the residents of Cottonwood as they work to recover from this natural disaster.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor James Coachman that the grant had been approved. The town has committed local matching funds to support the project.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
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