AL - Ivey announces planning funds for disaster recovery in coastal Alabama three years after Zeta
Three large local government agencies in South Alabama are getting $3 million to assess the remaining damages and unmet needs from two hurricanes that struck coastal Alabama three years ago.
The money was announced Wednesday by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office, and includes $1 million each to Mobile and Baldwin counties, and the City of Mobile.
The money, the governor’s office says, will allow each agency to submit recovery action plans to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Once those plans are accepted, additional funds will be released to each of the governing agencies:
- The City of Mobile is expected to get $52.1 million.
- Baldwin County will get $43.3 million.
- Mobile County will get $26.3 million.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, in a statement, said the city was grateful for the funding that will go toward planning in identifying where the money can “do the most good in the community.”
“Working with ADECA and HUD, we are hopeful that this ($52 million) will be able to significantly expand some of our existing affordable housing programs and plans,” Stimpson said in a statement. “This is a crucial need in our city, and expanding secure and affordable housing is one of the best ways we can ensure that more Mobilians are prepared for future storms that impact our community.”
Sharee Broussard, spokeswoman for Mobile County, said the while the county isn’t to the point of having specifics, the funding will be split between two categories of activities: housing-related ($12.1 million), and infrastructure & economic development ($15.2 million).
“Where the funding is needed and what it will be used for will be determined through planning,” she said. “Once planning is complete (within a year), the County will be able to provide information about specific projects funded by this grant.”
