Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday announced more than $15.7 million that will be awarded to nine local governments as they continue their long-term recovery from the April 2011 tornadoes.
"This funding will help make communities whole," Governor Bentley said. "The storms were devastating to so many areas. But since the storms, we've seen a remarkable spirit of recovery. The recovery is a long-term process, and this funding will make a tremendous difference."
The funding will meet community-specific needs. For example, one grant will help with downtown revitalization in Hackleburg. Another will help with site preparation and construction to help attract a new grocery store to Cordova, which lost its only grocery store in the tornado outbreak. In all, there are 19 funding awards among nine local governments.
Those receiving awards and the totals are:
- Cordova: $1,392,613
- DeKalb County: $950,000
- Franklin County: $125,000
- Hackleburg: $4,788,921
- Marion County: $300,000
- Moulton: $375,000
- Phil Campbell: $2,450,000
- Tuscaloosa (city): $3,470,000
- Tuscaloosa County – Holt Community: $1,900,000
The $15,751,534 in total awards is funded by a special allocation Alabama secured from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
More than 250 people were killed, and 2,200 people were injured during a two-week period in April 2011 when the state was struck by multiple tornadoes. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 6,237 houses and 1,275 mobile homes were destroyed.
