Alabama Governor Kay Ivey awarded nearly $1.2 million on Friday to further assist five counties in continuing their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Conecuh and Geneva counties all received awards as part of more than $40 million allocated to Alabama under a special Community Development Block Grant program funded from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.
This followed announcements of grants to Calhoun, Mobile and Montgomery counties on Thursday.
“Local governments are making strides in putting the COVID-19 pandemic in the past and getting on with the business at hand,” Ivey said. “I am confident these funds will help speed that process and aid in recovery efforts.”
Barbour County was awarded $300,000 and will use funds to supply food and utility assistance to qualified families. Funds will also be used to upgrade hospital equipment.
Bullock County was awarded $200,000 to renovate a building that will be used as the headquarters for the county Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, funds will be used to construct a handicap-accessible entrance to a medical clinic.
Butler County was awarded $300,000 to renovate the county Emergency Management Agency building, purchase medical and first-responder equipment, and provide food distribution.
Conecuh County was awarded $99,000 to purchase a mobile health clinic to provide medical services throughout the county.
Geneva County was awarded $300,000 and will use funds to purchase personal protection equipment for emergency personnel and front-line workers and construct a facility for the volunteer rescue squad to sanitize ambulances.
This followed an announcement on Thursday that the governor had awarded $1.6 million to assist Calhoun, Mobile and Montgomery counties with their continued efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our counties have shown remarkable abilities in navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic and getting back to the duties at hand,” Ivey said.
Calhoun County was awarded $600,000 to provide three mobile medical units that can be used for COVID testing and vaccinations as well as other future needs.
Mobile County was awarded $700,000 to purchase personal protection equipment for emergency officials and first responders. Additionally, funds will be used for local food banks to assist low and moderate-income families in the county.
Montgomery County was awarded $300,000 and will help supply food to qualified low- and moderate-income families.
Alabama counties and entitlement communities receiving the CDBG-COVID funds were required to make an application with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
“ADECA and Governor Ivey are adamant about helping communities overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “In applying for these funds, communities were given discretion in determining the use that best benefits their residents.”
“Alabama counties did a tremendous job of assessing their situations and working together for projects that will benefit their residents now and in later years,” Boswell said. “ADECA joins Governor Ivey in looking forward to the positive impact that these funds will make in these counties.”
Ivey will announce additional grants to other Alabama cities and counties as applications are processed. The grant funds are required to be expended on projects relating to the recovery from or preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus or any future infectious diseases.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has infected well over 543,000 Alabamians and killed over 11,146.
