Delay in Federal Payment for Vestavia Hills Stormwater Infrastructure
The Economy Protection Agency has announced a delay in the $3 million federal payment intended for rainwater infrastructure improvements in Vestavia Hills.
On Sunday, Vestavia Hills shared on Facebook that an EPA contact confirmed this development, attributing it to the diversification of federal grants secured by Senator Katie Britt from Alabama.
In their post, the city noted, “There has been considerable debate recently regarding the allocation of Senator Katie Britt’s $3 million for stormwater infrastructure.” The city further explained, “We are completing the necessary preliminary activities and are currently waiting for more direction from the funding agency about when the funds will be released. As of now, we are unable to spend this money.”
Interestingly, the EPA did not provide any specific reasons for the delay. The city also pointed out that it might take “up to five years” for the federal government to begin the project.
The funds are earmarked for enhancing storm drainage in areas east of Highway 31, part of ongoing efforts by Vestavia Hills to address stormwater challenges.
In recent years, the city has experienced significant issues with flooding and erosion, leading to road closures in Vestavia Hills and the broader central Alabama region.
These funds were secured by Britt through the 2024 budget for environmental and related programs and are intended to be funneled through the EPA’s state and tribal grant program.
The funding comes from the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, which aims to offer low-cost financial assistance for various water quality infrastructure projects.
Congress approved the funding request for the Vestavia Hills grant in the 2024 Consolidated Budget Act, which was signed into law last March.
Looking ahead, Britt has also requested an additional $1 million for Vestavia Hills’ stormwater infrastructure for FY25, but that funding did not make it into the Senate version of the bill.
This announcement about funding delays reflects a larger trend of nationwide disruptions earlier this year regarding environmental and infrastructure grants.
In January, the Trump administration’s Budget Control Bureau temporarily froze grants for public health initiatives tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Employment Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This freeze sparked criticism from various organizations, particularly emphasizing the impact on the $23.4 billion allocated by the IIJA for modernizing community water infrastructure through the CWSRF.
While the memo announcing the freeze was rescinded the following week, it nonetheless resulted in a 53% drop in IIJA Water Infrastructure Funding Awards for the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
For residents of Vestavia Hills seeking more information on the stormwater project, the city administration office can be contacted via email or phone. However, representatives from Britt’s office and the city’s Public Services division did not respond to requests for comment regarding the funding freeze.
