Covington County to apply for Safe Streets for All grant; would require 20% local match

The Covington County Commission on May 12 authorized staff to apply for the federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant to develop a countywide safety action plan that could improve the county’s competitiveness for future project funding.

Derek, representing the engineering department, told commissioners the initial application is free to submit through the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission and estimated an award of about $250,000. "250,000 is what we estimate. So if we did get the grant, we'd have to come up with 20% to match that amount," Derek said, noting the county would be responsible for the local match if awarded.

Commissioners said the grant-funded safety plan would help identify priority projects and make the county more competitive for subsequent construction funding. The commission voted to authorize the application; Commissioner Ben moved to approve and Commissioner Lynn seconded. There was no recorded opposition.

The commission was clear that authorizing the application does not obligate the county to a match until the grant is awarded and specific costs are known. If the county is successful, staff said it would return with a breakdown of costs and proposed sources for the required 20% match.

What's next: Staff will submit the application; if Covington County is selected, the commission will consider the match obligation and funding sources in a future meeting.