On Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that she had awarded $18.7 million in grants for improvements in 58 Alabama communities, including Dallas County’s Bogue Chitto community.

According to a press release from Ivey’s office, the funds from the Community Development Block Grant program will help communities provide water, improve roads and sewage systems, construct public community buildings and remove blight.

“Community Development Block Grants are vital to Alabama communities wanting to raise living standards and improve living conditions for their residents,” Ivey said in the press release. “I am pleased to award these grants and I commend all those local leaders who, by seeking these grants, show they have their communities at heart.”

The Bogue Chitto community will receive $350,000 in block grant funding to supply public water service connections to residents.

The funds for the competitive grants are awarded annually in a variety of categories, including county, large city, small city and community enhancement.

The grants are administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“As a former mayor, I know how valuable these grants are to communities and I also realize the time and effort that local leaders, planners and residents invest in obtaining funding,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell in the press release. “ADECA is pleased to have a role in this process that will benefit communities all across Alabama.”

Other nearby communities set to receive grant funding include Hayneville, which is set to receive $349,601 to make improvements to sewer lines and a wastewater treatment facility, Marengo County, which is set to receive $350,000 to pave five roads, and Perry County,  which will also receive $350,000 to provide public water services to 145 residents south of Marion.