MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $682,000 grant to the town of Cedar Bluff for improvements to its wastewater treatment plant that will facilitate future growth.
The funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used to restore reliability at the Cherokee County town’s wastewater treatment plant. The project is expected to improve sewer service for 1,304 households and 45 businesses. Local leaders said the project will help support recent annexations by the town and other anticipated growth.
“This project will help safeguard the environment, provide better service to residents and increase economic opportunities in Cedar Bluff,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend local leaders for seeing the potential for growth in the area and securing the funding for this essential infrastructure update.”
Plans for the project include replacing failed aeration equipment, enhancing the disinfection process, reclaiming capacity in treatment basins and installing a second pump for the wastewater system.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.
“These improvements will provide sewer service to underserved areas as the town of Cedar Bluff expands,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to partner with the Appalachian Regional Commission and Gov. Kay Ivey in support of this project which will benefit so many residents.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mattie Williams, chairman of the Utilities Board of Cedar Bluff, that the grant had been approved. Local sources will provide an additional $682,000 to fund the project.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Cherokee County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
