Baldwin County Commission is now asking for your input, seeking public comments on a new draft of a $43.3 million local recovery plan in response to Hurricanes Sally and Zeta.

BCC officials, with the help of county stakeholders, county departments, local jurisdictions, advocacy groups and community partners, have now prepared a Draft Community Development Block Grant -- Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR) Citizen Participation Plan (CPP). According to the commission, this plan provides a high-level strategy for how funding will be used to address the community's long-term disaster recovery needs.

This CDBG-DR CPP draft will be available for review and public comment for 15 days on the BCC's grants department website from July 17 to July 31. Written comments can be emailed to bccgrants@baldwincountyal.gov or submitted to the grants department at 322 Courthouse Square, Suite 11 in Bay Minette.

The website's Recovery Programs section explains that Baldwin County will receive over $43.3 million from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to implement recovery activities. The BCC states the grant will not fund any individual project; it will be used for multiple projects and potentially leveraged alongside state and/or federal funds. Housing initiatives will receive $19 million, while the other $24 million will benefit infrastructure and economic development activities.

"Eligible recovery activities must benefit low- and moderate-income individuals or areas; have a clear 'tie-back' or relation to Hurricane Sally or Hurricane Zeta and address direct or indirect disaster-related impacts; and be an eligible activity under HUD’s CDBG-DR program and ADECA’s LRP Program Guidelines," the section details.

Low- and moderate-income is classified as any household that earns 80% or less than Baldwin County's median income. U.S. Census Bureau Data lists the median Baldwin County household income (in 2022 dollars) at $71,039. Keep in mind that additional eligibility criteria could arise as needs and priorities are identified through this public comment period. 

A public hearing will also take place Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 10 a.m. in the BCC chambers pertaining to the draft's adoption.