The City of Anniston is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $350,000
Rebuild Alabama Grant to support the development of the Summerall Subdivision, a 38-acre retail
site along McClellan Boulevard in north Anniston. This grant is a significant milestone in the city’s
ongoing efforts to foster economic growth through strategic partnerships and infrastructural
improvements.
Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday morning that $3.9 million in state funding is being
allocated to various road and bridge projects across Alabama, with Anniston being one of only 12
entities to receive funding in this round. The Rebuild Alabama Act, passed in 2019, mandates that
the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) set aside a minimum of $10 million annually
from new gas tax revenue for local projects.
“The Summerall Subdivision project is a prime example of a successful public-private partnership,
involving the City of Anniston, ALDOT, Blackwater Resources (the site developer), and The Retail
Coach (our retail recruiting partner). The development will see an investment exceeding $15 million for
infrastructure enhancements. This will benefit not only Anniston but our entire county and region,”
stated Anniston City Manager Steven D. Folks.
The project’s success is also attributed to the collaborative efforts of our city staff, City Planning
and Economic Development Director Toby Bennington, ALDOT’s DeJarvis Leonard and Director
Cooper, and consulting engineer Jim Meads from Sain & Associates. Their concerted efforts ensured
the project’s selection for the Governor’s award.
The Summerall Subdivision currently hosts an Aldi grocery store, with further development
anticipated. The grant will help cover the $3.5 million cost of the roads and access points, combining
contributions from the city and Blackwater Development. Work crews are expected to be on-site
within the next several months, with plans presented to the city and contracts awarded by ALDOT.
State Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, praised the project for providing necessary infrastructure for
future development. “Rebuild Alabama grants and the program overall have provided many
opportunities. I’m always happy to assist with projects that help to bring jobs to our area,” Kelley said.
Since the passage of the Rebuild Alabama Act, over $12 million in state transportation funding has
been awarded through this annual grant program, benefiting local projects in all 67 counties. With
another round of funding yet to come, Anniston is poised for continued growth and development.