MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant to bring new commerce and create jobs in the city of Elba.
The grant will be used to provide the infrastructure necessary for Jack’s Family Restaurants to locate in the city. The infrastructure will also help encourage future business growth in Elba. The new Jack’s restaurant plans to employ 25 people.
“This grant will help supply the needed infrastructure for an Alabama-grown business and will further promote commerce and job creation in the city of Elba,” Gov. Ivey said. “In the near-term, this project will provide jobs for Elba residents and pave the way for additional development and future job opportunities.”
Jack’s plans to build its restaurant adjacent to the Elba Travel Center on U.S. Highway 84. The new location will join the more than 250 locations Jack’s restaurants across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi. The company, founded in 1960 in Homewood, is a staple in many Southern communities.
The CDBG funds will be used to install a 6-inch water line to the site, ensuring adequate water pressure and fire suppression needs for the restaurant.
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.
“This project will help supply needed water to immediate and future businesses in this particular area of Elba,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in supporting this effort.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor Tom Maddox that the grant had been approved. The city of Elba has pledged $48,210 in local funds for the project.
ADECA administers a wide range of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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