By John West
The Chambers County Commission met with Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville last week to discuss the county’s many infrastructure needs. During what Commissioner Debra Riley described as “a short meeting,” the county leaders discussed capital projects including road, water, sewer, and broadband with the senator.
“What we do when we go to these meetings is we let our senators and our representatives know what our needs are in the county, and just ask them to be aware of certain builds that we may know that’s coming down through the different committees that are important to Chambers County,” Riley said.
One major issue the commissioners brought before Tuberville was Chambers County’s roads. Lack of funding, an increase in pricing, and overall bureaucracy all add to the slow development of the county road network. “We talked a good bit, especially with Tuberville since he is fairly new in Washington, about the problems we have getting our roads paved because of rules and regulations, especially those under the EPA” Riley said. She indicated that County Engineer Josh Harvill and senator Tuberville discussed many of the hindrances that over-regulation causes in situations that do not even apply to Chambers County.
Regarding water, the county is looking particularly at projects to help rural residents on wells in the northern part of the county, as well as help incoming business in the southern part of the county. “What the county commission is trying to do is provide services either directly or indirectly to all people in the county that are underserved,” said Chambers County Attorney Skip McCoy. “The county commission’s goal is to try to provide services to as many people— who are desirous of having the same— as possible.”
Regarding broadband, the commission is negotiating with different companies who are interested in expanding internet access in Chambers County. The Commission is still working on plans to get broadband service into parts of the county where internet access is weak, or nonexistent. “Broadband is such an important resource for operation of businesses and schools, things of that nature,” McCoy said.
Additionally, Riley spoke to Tuberville about FCC approval for the County’s new 988 number. “This will be a mental crisis line that people and families who have a loved one in a mental health crisis can call,” Riley said.
“I would just like the public to know that we are working diligently on those issues and problems that they keep bringing to us. Hopefully in next few years we’re going to see some real movement and expansion on them,” Riley said.
The commission also discussed the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for county projects with Tuberville. “Particularly, we discussed operations involving water projects, broadband projects, and things of that nature, to try to give better services to the people in Chambers County,” McCoy said. Chambers County officials are currently trying to figure out the best way to move forward with these funds. While broadband and roads in particular are earmarked for use for the funds, the commission is taking a wait and see approach before they make a final decision. If other grant money, for example, comes in then that money can go towards broadband while the ARPA funds could get moved to other projects such as road and water. This was part of the thrust of the discussion with Tuberville.
“He was glad to see that the county commission was moving forward with the infrastructure projects,” McCoy said of Tuberville. “The good thing about it was he knew exactly where we were. Having lived in this area, he knew exactly where LaFayette was and the Chambers County area. He was glad to hear that the funds were going to be utilized to better the needs of Chambers County.”
The US government is giving away $1.9 trillion in ARPA funds nationwide. Those funds go directly to each county for use at the local level. Chambers County will receive a total of $6.4 million in funding from the federal government through the ARPA funds. Of that total, $3.2 million has already been received; the other $3.2 million is on its way.