By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

A majority of Lowndes County’s  municipalities may see various improvements made to their communities thanks to recent grants.

It was recently announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Lowndes County Commission and the town of Ft. Deposit, Hayneville and Mosses grant funds to improve the quality of life for its residents during a press conference on  Aug. 24.

“We have a lot of partners across the state,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Ronald Davis. “We take advantage of those relationships and expand on our resources as far as we can.”

The Lowndes County Commission received $42,331 for the Rural Business Enterprise grant to assist with the purchase of medical equipment so health care physicians can better assist Lowndes County residents.

Hayneville was awarded $135,000 with the Emergency Community Water Assistance grant for the town to replace a well pump and motor that was damaged by lightning.

Mayor Helenor Bell commented on the grant funds received saying, “the people of Hayneville deserve this.”

Among the other grants awarded were two to the town of Mosses; one to the Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority for $690,000 and the other to the town for $50,500.

The $690,000 grant to the Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority will be utilized to replace a non-functioning well as well as asbestos and cement and undersized lines with PVC piping. The town will seek an additional $299,000 on loan for the project’s completion.

The grant for $50,500 is part of the Economic Impact Initiative grant that will assist the town with its purchase of two new police cars.

“This will be the most important grant the town of Mosses will receive,” said Mosses Mayor Walter Hill. “We are elated to receive this grant knowing what it will do for our town.”

The town of Fort Deposit is receiving a similar grant. The town was awarded $25,388 as a part of the Economic Impact Initiative to purchase a new police car as well.

“These funds will have a dramatic impact on the Ft. Deposit Police Department — for its police cars fully equipped with the technology and computers to do whatever is needed in the line of duty,” said Ft. Deposit Mayor Fletcher Fountain.