By By Adrienne McKenzie – special to the Standard
Escambia County has been awarded $400,000 for road improvements, which was supplied from the Community Development Block Grant program.
Gov. Bob Riley has awarded Alabama counties, cities and towns $14.1 million in grant money, which will help to supply necessary enhancements for Alabama citizens and will improve Alabama communities.
The 34 grants under the Community Development Block Grant program will assist communities in many different areas, including water and sewer restorations and extensions, road improvements, housing rehabilitation and the demolishment of unsafe structures.
Escambia County Administrator Tony Sanks said the county will use the money for paving area dirt roads.
Sanks said the grant will help pay for only a small portion of the dirt roads that need paving.
County engineer Bill Bridges said no plans have been set in stone as far as figuring out which roads will be paved.
The county has sent an application letter off to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for approval of different streets and is waiting on a final OK before work can begin.
The grants used for the Community Development Block Grant program were from funds made available to the state through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Administration of the grant is through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.