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Cullman County to apply for federal CDBG funds to resurface rural roads after resident safety complaints
Summary
Cullman County commissioners voted to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to reconstruct and resurface county roads 627, 628, 630 and parts of 702; staff estimated the project at about $639,000 with a county match near $50,000 and invited public letters of support.
Cullman County commissioners voted to apply for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to reconstruct and resurface county roads 627, 628, 630 and parts of 702 after a public hearing featuring resident testimony about safety problems.
County staff told the commission that the CDBG program, administered in Alabama through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, distributes funds via a competitive process and requires projects to meet one of three national objectives such as benefiting predominantly low- and moderate-income residents. The county selected a road resurfacing project with an estimated total cost of approximately $639,000 and anticipated county matching funds of roughly $50,000.
Commissioner Kelly Duke and the county engineer were present to answer questions about the project and the application process. Staff said counties can reapply and that re-submitting a previously declined project can improve its competitive score over multiple rounds of review.
A resident who identified themself as living on County Road 627 described repeated near-misses when pulling into their driveway, narrow lanes that make passing dangerous, speed issues and an incident that drove a postal carrier off the road. The resident urged the county to pursue road improvements and was told that letters of support from neighbors would strengthen the application. “The road isn't big enough to pass,” the resident said, noting both safety and speed concerns.
After public comment closed, the commission approved Resolution 2026-31 to apply for CDBG funds for the identified roads and authorized the chairman to sign all related paperwork. The motion passed on a voice vote.
The application now goes to the state CDBG process. Staff asked residents to submit letters of support to strengthen the county’s application; the commission did not set a construction schedule contingent on receiving funding. If awarded, the county would be responsible for the match and for managing reimbursement-based grant requirements.
