Four Alabama counties will receive a total of $1.4 million under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced the award to Chilton, Dale, Henry and Winston Counties on Tuesday. The grants are administered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). More than $40 million has been allocated to Alabama under a special Community Development Block Grant program.
Ivey has now awarded more than 50 grants to Alabama cities and counties through the fund. Funds are required to be spent on projects relating to pandemic recovery or virus and disease prevention. In addition to testing and vaccinations, funds may be allocated toward job creation and business assistance, rental, mortgage and utility assistance, as well as food banks.
As unemployment in Alabama has dipped to pre-pandemic levels, Ivey noted the progress which has been made at the local level.
“Alabama is making great strides in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and setting our course on normal again,” she said in a release from her administration. “I am hopeful these funds will further assist those efforts on the local level in these counties.”
Kenneth Boswell, ADECA director, credited the cooperative effort from cities and counties in ensuring the funds were spent in accordance with the mission of the program.
“Alabama cities and counties, which all benefit from these grants, have shown tremendous cooperation in determining how these funds are to be expended,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
This latest rounds of grants were awarded as follows:
Chilton County: $400,000 for the construction of a testing, diagnostic and treatment facility.
Dale County: $400,000 to purchase personal protection and health equipment.
Henry County: $300,000 to purchase personal protection equipment for fire and rescue departments and provide a centralized location for dispatch services and provide assistance with school services.
Winston County: $300,000 to purchase a portable shelter to serve the public.
News of the award drew an immediately favorable reaction from one county official. Henry County Commission Chairman David Money took to social media to praise ADECA’s work.
Thank you, Director Boswell. We will put this to good use in #sweethomehenrycounty https://t.co/9Q6cJSSy7j
— David Money (@DavidMoney72) July 6, 2021
ADECA expects to make additional awards as grant applications are processed.
Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia
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