Hall County, five other area counties and the town of Alto have been approved for federal grants to help with the purchase of emergency equipment, such as generators.
U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-Ga.) and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) says the $6.3 million grant is from U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In addition to Hall County and Alto, money will be flowing to Towns, Pickens, Habersham, Gwinnett, and Banks counties in Northeast Georgia
“Our first responders, emergency management officers, and water suppliers are working overtime right now to protect our communities,” said Sen.Perdue. “This grant will ensure these critical facilities can continue operating at full capacity, even when the power goes out. We are especially grateful for the services these facilities provide every day and for the selfless sacrifices of our emergency responders. It important they know we’ve got their backs, just as they have ours.”
The catalyst for the grants was Hurricane Irma.
“During Hurricane Irma in 2017, 1.5 million people in Georgia lost power and many were left without electricity for days,” said Sen. Loeffler. “During emergencies, including today’s uncertain times, it’s crucial that Georgians know there is a reliable backup source of power. This grant will help counties across Georgia purchase and install generators so hospitals, fire and police stations, and other first responders can operate at the most critical times.”
Other cities and counties that will get a share of the money, part of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program that supports projects after a federally designated disaster, are Crisp, Monroe, Pike, Columbia, Emanuel, Long, Washington, Glynn, Crawford, Bartow, Oconee, Baldwin, Bulloch, Candler, Evans, Hancock, Sumter, Terrell, and Toombs counties, and the cities of Homerville, Guyton, Boston, Cochran, Concord, Ideal, Leesburg, Molena, Roberta, Williamson, Atlanta, Greensboro, and Dexter.
