Bentley awards grants to improve living conditions in Montgomery and Autauga counties | News

MONTGOMERY—Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded two grants totaling nearly $700,000 to improve living conditions in Montgomery and Autauga counties.

Bentley awarded a $335,825 Community Development Block Grant to the Montgomery County Commission to rehabilitate about 18 houses in the Eastwood Villa community. The town of Autaugaville was awarded a $350,000 grant to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility.

 “Local governments always have important needs and projects they are unable to address because of tight budgets,” Bentley said. “I am pleased to support both of these projects that I know will benefit many residents and make their communities even better places to live.”

Montgomery County will use the funds to renovate occupant-owned and rented housing in an area located off Interstate 85 near the Mount Meigs community. Up to $18,000 can be allocated for improvements on a house owned by the occupant and $9,000 can be spent on a rental house if the property owner provides a match equal to the repair allocation. 

Autaugaville will use the funding it receives to upgrade its 20-year-old sewage treatment facility, including replacing a pump. Sewer services currently are provided to 337 people and other residents are awaiting service; however, the system must be upgraded before additional customers can be served adequately. 

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

ADECA administers numerous programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, workforce development, water resource management and recreation development.

Bentley notified Elton Dean Sr., chairman of the Montgomery County Commission, and F.B. Ward, Autaugaville mayor, that the grants had been awarded.

Information Source: State of Alabama