$32 Million in Grant Funding Transforms Alford’s Future
By: Shelia Mader
A historic wave of grant funding, totaling more than $32 million, is reshaping the town of Alford in the wake of Hurricane Michael, marking what Mayor George Gay calls one of the most transformative projects in the town’s history. Sewer, streets and stormwater upgrades are underway.
“This is the biggest thing we’ve ever done,” said Gay, who has served as mayor for 19 years. “For a small town like ours, these improvements are a game-changer.”
Following the devastation of Hurricane Michael, which rendered many of the town’s septic systems unusable, the town began seeking funding to rebuild. Damage from the storm exposed long-standing infrastructure challenges, especially for the lower-income neighborhoods of Alford, which include around 330 homes and 550 residents.
The first major issue: outdated septic systems. “Most of the homes were built in the 1950s,” Gay said. “With new building codes and failing systems, people couldn’t even rebuild on their lots because they didn’t meet septic regulations.”
In response, the town launched a multi-phase infrastructure overhaul, beginning with Florida Street. Phase one included new sewer lines and underground infrastructure, completed after nearly a year of construction.
The east side of town, divided by U.S. Highway 231, was prioritized, and the town strategically partnered with the City of Marianna, approximately nine miles away, to avoid the prohibitive cost of building a local wastewater treatment facility. Sewer lines now pump wastewater directly to Marianna, a move that also opens the door for future residential and commercial development between the two towns.
To date, Alford has received:
· $32 million in initial infrastructure grants
· $4 million to fund no-cost sewer connections for residents beginning later this year
· $12.7 million to Anderson Columbia for street and underground utility work-Phase 4
· $4 million to GAC Contractors for installing lift stations around town
· $3.5 million in stormwater drainage upgrades
Gay emphasized that residents won’t pay a penny to connect to the new sewer system, thanks to strategic grant applications. “Every house will have the option to hook up at zero cost,” he said.