The City of Geneva will receive a $300,000 block grant to repair damage in the downtown area caused by a January 25 tornado.
The EF-2 tornado produced 115 mph winds and damaged streets and sidewalks. Portions along East Westville Avenue, Greenwood Street, and South Commerce Street, along with a parking lot on East Town Avenue, were severely damaged. Bricks from a former hotel on South Commerce Street fell on the sidewalk, causing severe damage there. Heavy equipment clearing debris on the streets also caused damage, along with an uprooted tree on Greenwood Street.
Gov. Kay Ivey awarded the Community Development Block Grant to address damage that city leaders said posed a safety hazard.
“This tornado that swept through southeast Alabama caused extensive damage in downtown Geneva, creating a potentially dangerous situation for residents,” Ivey said. “I commend city leaders for their quick action in securing these funds and taking another step toward a full recovery.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the federal funds.
“When a community faces an emergency scenario like this, we are often able to work with them to deliver urgent-need CDBG funds to assist,” ADECA director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in offering support to the city during a difficult time.”
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