By Donna Thornton/News Editor
The Gadsden City Council announced a list of agencies that received federal money to help maintain their operations in the coming year.
Council member Bill Stewart said 10 organizations received Community Development Block Grants, and will get a share of less than $1 million the city received. Stewart said he recalled when the city routinely received around $1.3 million to share with deserving, qualifying agencies in the past. The money has been harder to get and the amounts have been smaller in recent years.
Council President Bob Echols said the money goes to low income areas.
“It’s a really good program that they try to cut every year,” Echols said. He said the Family Success Center was made possible by CDBG money.
“This is the most important grant money we’ve got coming into the city,” Council member Ben Reed said.
Council member Billy Harris encouraged those involved in organizations that might qualify for CDBG money to contact city hall about applying for funds.
“It’s like the lottery,” Harris said. “You won’t win if you don’t play.”
The organizations receiving grants were:
Communty Development Authority – $12,500
MANNA – $18,000
Love Center – $5,000
Downtown Gadsden Inc. – $12,500
Way of the Cross – $12,000
13th Place – $10,000
Family Success Center – $10,000
Council on Aging – $1,700
Summer Enrichment Program – $3,500
Community Cares Inc. – $2,500
