Sewell makes announcements of millions of dollars in federal funding for improvements to the Seventh Congressional District

October 25, 2024 – BIRMINGHAM – On Friday, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) announced that the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and the Montgomery Regional Airport will each receive $5 million, for a total of $10 million in federal funding, to make improvements to the airports' infrastructure. Funding for these grants comes from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program, made possible by President Joseph R. Biden's (D) controversial infrastructure law.

"I'm excited to welcome $10 million in federal funding to make improvements to the Birmingham and Montgomery airports!" said Rep. Sewell. "Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is once again delivering results for Alabama's 7th Congressional District by investing in airport facilities that will enhance travel for those who visit and live in our communities."

In Birmingham, this grant will be used to rehabilitate 10 restrooms and a Service Animal Relief Area at the airport, enhancing the airport's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

"I am extremely grateful to the federal government, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, and all our elected leaders for assisting the airport in securing this grant so we can continue to deliver the quality service that our customers expect and deserve," said Ron Mathieu, President and CEO of the Birmingham Airport Authority. "This special $5 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will enable us to make improvements to many of our public restrooms and to the Service Animal Relief Area in the terminal-all in compliance with ADA requirements."

In Montgomery, this funding will be used to replace the inbound baggage system and the escalator, which have reached the end of their useful lives.

"Thank you to the FAA for recognizing the importance of this project to improve the passenger experience at Montgomery," said Robert H. Gould, Montgomery Airport Authority Chairman.

"I would like to express my gratitude to our entire federal delegation, including Congresswoman Sewell, the FAA, and the MGM Board for their unwavering efforts in supporting Alabama's air travel requirements," said Wade A. Davis, CM, Executive Director of MGM. "This project will enhance capacity and provide significant benefits to regional air travelers for many years to come."

President Biden's infrastructure bill included $25 billion for airport improvements like the ones being funded in Birmingham and Montgomery. The Airport Improvement Program provides grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings, all strengthening our nation's aviation infrastructure.

Congresswoman Sewell is canvassing the Seventh District ahead of the November 5 general election.

Today Rep. Sewell will announce $850,000 to Expand the West Alabama Food Bank. Rep. Sewell will be joined by West Alabama Food Bank Executive Director Jean Rykaczewski and Chief Operations Officer Sheldrick McNeal for a press conference announcing $850,000 that she secured to expand the facility and alleviate hunger in West Alabama. The expansion project includes the addition of food storage space and a new community kitchen. The investment is part of the $13.1 million that Rep. Sewell secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal government funding package for local projects in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

Also today Rep. Sewell will announce $2.7 Million for a new FEMA Storm Shelter in Demopolis. Sewell will be joined by Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins for a press conference to announce $2.7 million that she secured for the City of Demopolis, Alabama. The funding will be used to construct a new FEMA-certified storm shelter which will protect residents during inclement weather. It is part of the $13.1 million that Rep. Sewell secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal government funding package for local projects in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

On Monday Rep. Sewell announced a total of $1.5 million that she helped secure from the National Park Service to preserve historic Civil Rights sites in Selma and Hope Hull, Alabama.

On Thursday, Rep. Sewell announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investing $3.6 billion in new funding under the Biden-Harris Administration's infrastructure bill to upgrade our nation's water infrastructure, including $43.7 million for the State of Alabama. This funding will help communities across Alabama upgrade water infrastructure that is essential to safely managing wastewater and drinking water in our homes, schools, and businesses.

"I voted for the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law because it promised to make the largest investment in wastewater and drinking water infrastructure in our nation's history," said Rep. Sewell. "Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are delivering on that promise. I am thrilled to announce that Alabama will receive over $43.7 million to help communities upgrade wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. Access to clean water is a basic human right, and this investment represents critical progress in our continued fight for equitable and safe wastewater systems. I thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for this historic investment, and I look forward to working with the State of Alabama to ensure these new resources reach the communities that need them most."

"Water keeps us healthy, sustains vibrant communities and dynamic ecosystems, and supports economic opportunity. When our water infrastructure fails, it threatens people's health, peace of mind, and the environment," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's historic investment in water, EPA is working with states and local partners to upgrade infrastructure and address local challenges-from lead in drinking water, to PFAS, to water main breaks, to sewer overflows and climate resilience. Together, we are creating good-paying jobs while ensuring that all people can rely on clean and safe water."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and DWSRF), a long-standing federal-state water investment partnership. This multibillion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs that address key challenges in financing water infrastructure. Today's announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean Water General Supplemental funds for Alabama ($27,824,000), Emerging Contaminant funds ($2,402,000), and ($13,490,000) under the Drinking Water Emerging Contaminant Fund.

This funding is part of a five-year, $50 billion investment in water infrastructure through Biden's infrastructure bill.

On Wednesday, October 16 Rep. Sewell was joined by Fairfield Mayor Eddie Penny, United Way officials, and city and county officials for a press conference announcing $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education for the United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA). UWCA will use the funds to expand services and support to Fairfield students and families through the Community Schools strategy, which it began implementing last year in partnership with Fairfield City Schools. Such services may include healthcare, mental health counseling, nutrition and dental services, high-quality early learning, after-school and summer learning programs and technical job skills training. The grant provides $2.5 million over five years, adding to the $1.5 million that UWCA has already dedicated to the first three years of the program.

On Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Rep. Terri Sewell was joined by Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky at Homewood City Hall for a press conference announcing $1,000,000 that she secured for water drainage improvements in the City of Homewood. The funding will be used to install a stormwater culvert. It is part of the $13.1 million that Rep. Sewell secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal government funding package for local projects in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

On Friday, October 11, 2024 Sewell was in Birmingham to deliver $1.6 million in federal funding to renovate the Loveman Village Daycare Facility and expand mental health and substance use services in Jefferson County

Sewell was joined by Alabama Regional Medical Services (ARMS) CEO Dr. Ted Greer Jr. to deliver a check for $600,000 that she helped secure from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funding will be used to expand the facility's mental health and substance use services and combat the mental health and opioid crises.

Late that same day, Sewell was joined by Birmingham Housing Authority President and CEO Dontrelle Young Foster, Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan, and other elected officials to present a check for $1 million to the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD). This funding will be used to renovate and expand the daycare facility at the former Loveman Village to accommodate more children. It is part of the $13.1 million that Rep. Sewell secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal government funding package for local projects in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

On Thursday, October 10, Rep. Sewell was in Selma, Alabama to announce major federal funding that she secured for infrastructure revitalization and mental health and substance use treatment services.

Sewell was joined by Selma Mayor James Perkins and local elected officials to present a check for $1,666,279 to revitalize infrastructure in the City of Selma. The funding will be used to repair roads and sidewalks within a 12-block area of downtown. It is part of the $13.1 million that Rep. Sewell secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal government funding package for local projects in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

Sewell is seeking her eighth term representing Alabama's Seventh Congressional District. Sewell faces Republican retired school teacher and principal Robin Litaker in the November 5 general election. Sewell has recently sent out a mailer to voters in CD7 asking that they get out the vote for Sewell and Vice President Kamala Harris – the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

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