SUMMERDALE, Ala. – The town of Summerdale is one of four municipalities to receive state grants.

Last week Gov. Robert Bentley awarded $30,000 to Summerdale so the town can upgrade its 28-year-old comprehensive plan.

“The new plan will help city leaders make decisions about the city’s future by examining infrastructure, land use, transportation, community facilities and services and other issues dealing with growth and priorities,” a news release states.

During last week’s Summerdale Town Council Workshop, Mayor Pro-Tem Myles Bishop explained that the grant is limited to the plan’s improvement.

“That’s the only thing we can used that for,” he said.

Discussion of the grant in the Council’s November Workshop touched on the age of the municipality’s comprehensive plan.

“Our comprehensive plan is from 1986,” Town Clerk Tiffany Lynn said.

In a news release announcing the award, the governor explained that the Community Development Block Grants will help the municipalities expand job opportunities and improve life for residents by developing strategic plans that address infrastructure, recreation, tourism and industrial development, downtown revitalization and other community needs.

“You have to know where you are going to get there,” Bentley said. “A comprehensive plan developed with this funding will serve as both a roadmap and a compass, helping each community chart and reach its desired destination.”

He also awarded funding to Eclectic, Gurley and Troy for a total of $150,000 in CDBG grants. Bentley awarded the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grants.