Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that major improvements will be made to Alexander City's downtown water mains, thanks to a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. This grant, combined with additional funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, will complete this mission.

The purpose of the update is to provide area residents and businesses with clean and sufficient drinking water.

“Access to clean water is a necessary and expected service for every town and city,” Governor Ivey said. “These improvements will provide abundant water to residents and businesses while also increasing the fire department's ability to extinguish fires in the area.”

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ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell praised the city's leadership role in utilizing the grant funds.

“Alexander city leaders should be commended for improving water service with these two grants and saving the city significant local resources on this project,” Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Governor Ivey, ARC, and the city on a project that will benefit many residents in the project area and the city as a whole through new retail development opportunities.”

The water pipe replacement project will span multiple streets, including Forest Street, Park Avenue, Houston Street, Semmes Street, and the alley between Green Street and Broad Street. As part of the renovation, additional fire hydrants will be installed to increase firefighting capacity. Approximately 13 businesses and 80 residences will benefit from the improvements.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.