ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
BOB RILEY BILL JOHNSON
GOVERNOR
ACTING DIRECTOR
STATE OF ALABAMA
For Immediate Release: Contact:
Friday, Aug. 19, 2005 Jim Plott
Larry Childers
(334) 242-5525
Riley Awards $500,000 Grant to Eliminate
Drainage Problems for Valley Community
MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded a $500,000 grant to eliminate a health and safety
hazard in the city of Valley.
The Community Development Block Grant will be used to replace a storm-water drainage
system in the city’s Shawmut Mill Village. The inability of the existing 80-year-old system to
adequately drain, especially during big storms, results in floods and stagnant pools.
“This project will eliminate health and environmental hazards and prevent further damage to
property,” Riley said. “I’m very pleased to be able to offer this assistance to citizens in Valley.”
Plans call for the replacement of terra-cotta pipe with larger, more durable pipe that can
safely remove excess water during rains and eliminate pools of standing water. Problems created by
flooding and wet conditions include damage to structures, erosion of streets and driveways, bad odors
resulting from stagnant water, and large populations of mosquitoes and snakes, according to city
officials.
“This grant will help improve the overall quality of life in our area,” said state Rep. Duwayne
Bridges. “Senator Gerald Dial and I applaud Governor Riley for recognizing the impact these
improvements will have on our community.”
Bill Johnson, acting director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community
Affairs, notified Mayor Arnold Leak that the grant had been approved. ADECA is administering the
grant. The city of Valley is providing an additional $75,000 for the project.
Riley awarded the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development. The project was selected from requests submitted for consideration
under the state’s annual CDBG awards competition.
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