Ider, Alabama has been awarded $225,000 in funds by Governor Kay Ivey from the Community Development Block Grant to assist in developing new jobs as well as maintaining the present employment there.
IMAGE CREDIT: ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS via their website.
Governor Ivey had the following to say regarding the giving of the grant, “I am pleased to provide this grant to promote new economic opportunities and jobs in the town of Ider on Sand Mountain. This project will be instrumental in helping these companies grow and thrive, creating many new jobs for area residents.”
The grant will be used to install approximately 5,300 feet of 3 inch sewage line, which will originate from Ider’s wastewater plant to both Steel Plus and Howard’s restaurant, two businesses in Ider. Ider’ s town leaders are certain it will also assist in future expansions, businesses, and residents.
The Grant funds granted will be utilized to assist Steel Plus, a local manufacturer of Ider, to establish an additional 80 jobs, as well as benefit Howard’s which currently employs 34 individuals. The sewer expansion established from this grant will be essential in generating new employment in the area as well.
Howard’s and Steel Plus are both located on Alabama Highway 75 in Ider, putting at the limit with the septic system, which necessitates town sewer services to satisfy present and eventual demand, per leaders. Howard’s eventually wants to expand their facility in the kitchen as well as their dining room to be able to host events as well as hopefully begin catering.
Steel Plus, a company that fabricates and processes steel, has plans for an addition of up to 20,000 square feet at its plant, in which they presently employ 55 individuals. The present septic (private) system that Steel Plus is utilizing is almost at maximum capacity, and cannot be sufficiently increased in size, warranting linking to Ider’s sewer system, town leaders say.
Our editor spoke with the Mayor of Ider, Wendy Hammonds regarding the grant to ascertain their prospective on how the grant will benefit not only Steel Plus and Howard’s but, Ider in general.
Mayor Hammonds had the following to saying regarding the block grant, “it is for a sewer extension that will allow for Steel Plus, Howard’s, and Cornerstone to hook onto. It will help ensure to keep them in business, and help other and future businesses in our area.”
Since Cornerstone Funeral Chapel and Crematory had not been originally mentioned as being part of the businesses hooking in or up to the future sewer extension Mrs. Hammonds was asked by our editor “is Cornerstone going to be officially hooking into the new sewer extension once the extension was completed?”
Mayor Hammonds as answer to the above question stated, “Cornerstone has expressed that they are interested in hooking into the extension.” She went on to say, Cornerstone has said, ‘that they would hook into the sewer extension once it’s complete.”‘
The grant will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
The ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell commented upon the benefit and potential that the grant has garnered the town of Ider, AL saying, This project will benefit two local businesses, and it has the potential to serve other customers and stimulate additional industries and businesses in Ider in the future. I join Gov. Ivey in applauding the town of Ider for seeking this funding that will greatly benefit the community.”
The ADECA presides over a variety of programs that aid law enforcing agencies, economic development, energy preservation, sustainable water management, and recreational.
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