$200,000 ARC Grant Will Repair Fayette’s Damaged Sewer System
Sen. Greg Reed & Rep. Kyle South secure much-needed grant for city of Fayette
Mayor Ray Nelson approached Senator Greg Reed and Rep. Kyle South earlier this year with a problem. Video analysis showed that in some parts of the city of Fayette, more than sixty percent of the sewer system was badly damaged. The city had set aside money to repair the damaged sewer lines, but estimates for the work were much higher than the city could afford.
“We were in a tight spot. The sewer lines that serve 3rd, 5th, and 6th Avenues Northeast and 7th, 8th, and 9th Streets NE were in terrible shape,” said Nelson. “You had disconnected joints, tree roots that had basically strangled or punctured lines…it was a mess.”
Senator Reed and Rep. South promised to work with Governor Robert Bentley’s staff on applying for a $200,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to boost the city’s funding for the sewer repair project.
In July, the ARC notified Senator Reed and Rep. South that the $200,000 grant for the city of Fayette had been approved.
“This kind of project is obviously essential for the health and safety of Fayette’s residents, so I was glad to work with Rep. South and Mayor Nelson on securing the ARC grant for Fayette,” Reed stated.
Established by an act of Congress in 1965, the ARC is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government, aimed at boosting economic growth in the thirteen Appalachian states.
“When Mayor Nelson approached me and Senator Reed about this need, we immediately went to work with the Governor’s staff to guide Fayette’s grant through the application process,” South said. “I am glad were able to get this project across the finish line.”
The $200,000 ARC grant, combined with a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant and $660,100 in city funds, will enable Fayette to repair over 1,600 feet of deteriorated sewer lines that serve 192 homes and four businesses.
###
Greg Reed is the Alabama Senate Majority Leader and represents Senate District 5, which is comprised of all or parts of Winston, Walker, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, and Fayette counties.
Last modified: August 12, 2016
