Sewell hosts Marion meeting to talk federal funds for water, sewer, high-speed internet

Congresswoman Terri Sewell held a Congress in the Community meeting in Marion on May 10 at the offices of Sowing the Seeds of Hope. She was joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Alabama State Director for Rural Development, Nivory Gordon Jr.  

Sewell and Gordon talked to the constituents about the funding available through the USDA for various projects including economic development, housing, water and sewer, and infrastructure, which includes preparing communities for high-speed internet service. 

Gordon spoke about the 502 Housing Program that enables a person to have a home. He said through the program, qualified applicants can borrow up to $398,000 at 3.75% interest for up to 38 years. “This is our flagship program,” Gordon said. “It helps us to help homeowners, and it helps communities by making an economic base, a better tax base.”  

The 502 Housing Program got a cut in funding this year, according to Gordon. “It went from $1.8 billion to $800 million, but we will take the resources we have and utilize those resources and do the best we can,” Gordon said. Sewell called this program “vital to rural America.”  

Sewell said water and sewer are “a big issue in the Black Belt. It’s been an ongoing issue in Uniontown.” She reported that retired Sen. Richard Shelby “was instrumental in getting more resources for water and sewer projects in the Black Belt.” 

The water and sewer issues in Uniontown “have been ongoing for decades,” according to Sewell. She said Uniontown lacks the capacity to provide the necessary service to its customers, so USDA funding has arranged for Demopolis to “provide a surge in treatment for Uniontown.”  

Gordon said the project is moving along well and is nearing completion. “There is some other funding we are requiring from the state, but the project is progressing in a timely manner,” Gordon said.  

As for broadband internet service across the Black Belt, Sewell said she is working with the governor’s office to be sure Alabama’s plan will include money to help the end user as well as for the Internet Service Providers. There is a program to provide up to $35 toward the monthly internet bill for needy families. Sewell said she wants to show her colleagues how important that program is “because it is on hold until Congress acts.” 

According to Sewell, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed by Congress will provide over $100 million in broadband money, over $700 million for water and sewer, and $5 billion for roads and bridges.