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Montgomery mayor touts recent grants and pushes procurement changes to draw private infrastructure investment
Summary
Mayor briefed the council on storm response and about $50 million in recent infrastructure grants, urged state changes to public-private procurement to attract private capital for projects including the Riverwalk and airport, and promoted several upcoming city events and community initiatives.
Mayor remarks and federal outreach Mayor remarks to the council thanked public works, sanitation and public-safety staff for their work during a recent winter storm and reminded residents that the city’s nonemergency 3-1-1 line remains available for service requests and event information.
Why the grants matter The mayor said Montgomery has secured roughly $50,000,000 in infrastructure-related grants in recent years and described conversations at the U.S. Conference of Mayors about strategies for public safety, housing initiatives and small-business support. He specifically referenced a $36,600,000 Reconnected Communities grant that was “negated” and said federal partners encouraged reapplying with targeted adjustments to recoup funding for a voting-rights trail and West Montgomery improvements.
Pursuing private partners and procurement changes The mayor relayed a suggestion from Rodney Moss of Hunt Companies about improving Alabama’s public-private procurement laws to make the state more attractive to private equity and other investors for infrastructure projects. He said city staff, the city attorney’s office and state government-relations teams will pursue potential changes and follow-up meetings with state and federal officials.
Local projects and stadium investment The mayor praised upgrades at Riverwalk Stadium and said the council approved over $3,000,000 to meet Major League Baseball facility requirements; the mayor described the new ownership group as prepared to make further investments in the stadium and related real-estate opportunities.
Community events and programs He also announced the city’s participation in an America250 city art project (deadline March 22 at mgm250.com), the mayor’s neighborhood banquet and a free “Neighbors and Flavors” community food event to address food access, and encouraged residents to attend the State of the City address on Feb. 10. The mayor framed these events as part of efforts to celebrate local heritage and improve food access in neighborhoods affected by recent federal funding reductions.
What’s next The mayor said staff and regional partners will continue pursuing grant opportunities and procurement improvements, and he signaled more meetings with state and federal leaders to seek statutory or policy changes needed to unlock larger private investments in Montgomery infrastructure.
