Brewton claimed the largest single grant awarded in the announced projects on Monday as Gov. Kay Ivey announced funding for workforce development projects.
“We are grateful for the help we received from Gov. Ivey, Sen. Doug Jones and Rep. Bradley Byrne and from Rep. Alan Baker to help make this project a reality,” said Brewton Mayor Yank Lovelace. “Our team has worked tirelessly for more than a year on this project and the groundwork took years before that. Projects like ProValus can change an entire region, and that can only happen when local, state and federal governments work together for the common good.”
Announcements on Monday included a total of $1.157 million in grants and more than $13.4 million in local investment. Brewton’s grant award is $300,000.
Announcements statewide included:
· 7 projects
· DRA investments: $1,157,066
· Total investments: $13,421,555
· Jobs created: 300
· Workers trained: 100
· Families affected: 3,052
“The Delta Regional Authority’s SEDAP program works hand in hand with the priorities of my Administration. Each day, with every decision, I am working to enhance the quality of life for all Alabamians,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am grateful for the partnership of the DRA and other public and private partners to invest $13.4 million to seven improvement projects in our Black Belt region. When we invest in infrastructure, workforce development and business projects, we are investing in our people.”
Alabama’s congressional delegation issued the following statements:
“The Delta Regional Authority’s investments will support critical workforce and infrastructure needs in these Alabama communities,” said U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-AL. “The updates to water and wastewater systems are especially important to make sure folks have safe drinking water and healthy homes for their families. I applaud the DRA for continuing its long-standing commitment to providing greater economic opportunity and a higher quality of life in every corner of Alabama.”
“I am grateful to the Delta Regional Authority for their continued investment in rural Alabama. Specifically, the Brewton technology park project will help bring more high-tech, good-paying jobs to Alabama,” said U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01). “Despite what you may hear, rural America is continuing to thrive and grow, and that is a testament to organizations like the Delta Regional Authority who continue to invest and support our rural communities.”
DRA investments are made through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), the agency’s main federal funding program that invests in basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business and entrepreneurship projects.
The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. DRA has invested more than $185 million into more than 1,100 projects. Overall, DRA investments have helped create and retain more than 55,000 jobs, train nearly 45,000 workers to advance in the 21st Century, and deliver sewer and water improvements to more than 238,000 residents and businesses. Learn more at dra.gov.
CITY OF BREWTON: New Technology Park. DRA Investment: $300,000. Total Investment: $5 million. Brewton is developing a new Brewton Technology Park to support its an information technology company that is projected to bring 300 new jobs to the community. The business also will provide training for those workers. DRA’s investment will allow the purchase and installation of infrastructure development to support a 30,000-square-foot facility. About 2,732 families will gain improved water and sewer service as a result of the investment.