MONTGOMERY — The city of Athens was one of 28 Alabama cities and towns to receive a Community Development Block Grant for improvement projects.

Athens’ grant was for $450,000, which will be used to make sewer and drainage improvements around Athens Elementary School. A total of $10.5 million in grants was announced.

Ivey said the CDBG program enables communities to address needed projects that affect the health and welfare of residents. She announced the first round of CDBG awards on Jan. 24th.

“Lives will be improved thanks to these projects funded through the Community Development Block Grant program,” Ivey said. “People who have been subject to impure water will get clean water to drink, bathe and wash. People who have been maneuvering unsafe roads will soon be traveling smooth streets, and the list goes on. I am so thankful for this program and the assistance it provides to communities who may be unable to afford these needed improvements on their own.”

The two award ceremonies represent almost $17 million in CDBG funds awarded for improvements in municipalities and counties.

Most CDBG funds are awarded annually in several categories through a competitive process based on many factors including the number of low-and moderate-income families affected, community need and cost efficiency of projects.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.