CULLMAN, Ala. – Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced she has awarded $100,000 to “improve infrastructure, increase safety and pave the way for 30 new jobs in the city of Cullman.”
The City of Cullman will use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to implement traffic safety improvements at the entrance to Cullman Industrial Park #2. The traffic safety improvements precede plans by Reliance World Corp. to expand its facility in the industrial park and hire 30 new workers to its existing workforce of 280 people.
Back in May, the Cullman City Council voted to authorize Mayor Woody Jacobs to apply for CDBG funds for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Alabama Highway 69 (Cherokee Avenue) and 24th Street Southwest, and committed matching funds from the City. Cullman, between the city government, Industrial Development Board and others, will provide a local match of $105,000 for the construction phase of the project.
Jacobs noted the cooperation between agencies from the Cullman Economic Development Agency to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on the placement of a traffic signal in a busy industrial area along a state thoroughfare.
City officials said the improvements are necessary because of increased traffic volume coupled with frequent automobile crashes at the site.
“The perils of the COVID-19 pandemic are not over, but I am encouraged by the good economic news that is emerging throughout Alabama,” Ivey said. “The expansion by Reliance World Corp. is just another indication that Alabama’s economy is getting back on track. I am pleased to support this expansion.”
Reliance Worldwide is a global provider of water control systems and plumbing products for residential, commercial and industrial customers. The company plans a $2 million upgrade and expansion of its Cullman plant to increase its manufacturing capability.
ADECA is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“From day one of her administration, Gov. Ivey has made jobs a priority, and that is particularly true as we attempt to overcome any setbacks caused by COVID-19,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is committed to assisting Gov. Ivey in her pursuit to make jobs available for all Alabamians.”
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