U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, last Friday announced $5.8 million from the Delta Regional Authority’s Supplemental Disaster Recovery Funding, SDRF, program to advance disaster recovery efforts and build long-term resilience in the Black Belt. The City of Selma was awarded $4 million to address drainage failure, road damage and other infrastructure challenges caused by the EF-2 tornado of January 2023. The City of York was awarded $1.8 million to repair, replace and upgrade its sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure.
Immediately following the devastating tornadoes of January 2023, Sewell began working with President Joe Biden to secure additional recovery resources for the Black Belt. This novel funding, announced last week, is a direct result of a multi-year advocacy effort spearheaded by Sewell, and will accelerate recovery and economic development in the cities of Selma and York, Sewell’s release shared.
“Today’s announcement is a major victory for the Cities of Selma and York as we work to not only rebuild, but to better withstand future storms,” said Sewell. “By repairing and modernizing sewer systems, strengthening drainage, and addressing long-standing road vulnerabilities, this $5.8 million investment will help prevent future damage and protect our neighborhoods when severe weather strikes. I want to personally thank the former Biden Administration as well as Dr. Corey Wiggins for their steadfast commitment to the Black Belt.”
“The Delta Regional Authority is pleased to invest nearly $6 million to the cities of Selma and York through our Supplemental Disaster Recovery Funding program,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA federal co-chairman. “With this investment, both cities can accelerate progress being made toward recovery efforts that have gone unfinished within their communities for too long, strengthening their public infrastructure and preparedness for future weather-related events.”
The Delta Regional Authority SDRF program is a new addendum to the 2025 Community Infrastructure Fund, DRA’s primary investment tool that supports projects addressing flood control, basic public infrastructure and transportation infrastructure improvements.
More information on the SDRF program can be found here.
