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Decatur receives $750,000 COVID Recovery Grant

The grant funds will be spent on rental and utility assistance, small businesses with loans, and improved fire and rescue equipment.

DECATUR, Ala. — Decatur is one of four Alabama cities to receive funds from Alabama's Community Development Block Grant program. A total of $4.5 million was distributed.

The city will receive $750,000 to be spent on "projects relating to the recovery from or preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus or any future infectious diseases." Birmingham and Mobile each received $1.5 million and Tuscaloosa received $750,000.

The Community Action Partnership of North Alabama will facilitate the funds in partnership with the city of Decatur. Eligible applicants are told to apply online.

"So we've opened the door for some new families to benefit from these monies and those that are really in need and those that have been affected by the pandemic," says Community Action Partnership of North Alabama CEO, Tim Thrasher.

According to the governor's office, the awards are 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 (CARES) Act. Applications for the funds are still being processed, with other awards expected to be announced.

“As Alabama continues to make progress to end this pandemic, these funds will help people in some of Alabama’s largest cities to rebound from COVID-19,” Governor Ivey said.  “I am pleased to award these funds and hope they will help these cities as they continue their recoveries.”

The city of Decatur will provide rental and utility assistance, assist small businesses with loans and improve fire and rescue equipment.

The city of Birmingham will use funds to supply food and health services to residents, aid the homeless and improve virtual schooling for students.

The city of Mobile will expend funds to fortify food banks to help meet local needs, upgrade emergency equipment, improve health services for senior citizens and provide legal services to residents to address fair-housing needs.

The city of Tuscaloosa will rehabilitate an underutilized elementary school building and convert it into a community resource center.

The city of Decatur will provide rental and utility assistance, assist small businesses with loans and improve fire and rescue equipment.

Ivey's office says the funds were made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and can be used to support COVID-19 testing and vaccinations; rental, mortgage and utility assistance; assistance to food banks and pantries; job creation and business assistance and related projects to provide pandemic relief.  

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