Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, has secured $2.5 million for the City of Gadsden in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This congressionally directed spending aims to improve critical drainage infrastructure to mitigate residential flooding in South Gadsden near Gadsden City High School.

The funds will be used to construct an engineered concrete drainage channel and associated culverts to increase capacity. These improvements are intended to manage stormwater runoff more efficiently in the area. The project also aims to ensure that a critical transportation thoroughfare remains open during weather and rainfall events, facilitating access for emergency vehicles, maintaining the regular flow of commerce, and preventing public safety and congestion concerns from road closures due to flooding.

“I’m proud to have secured $2.5 million that would help Gadsden improve critical drainage infrastructure to ensure the City can function at its best regardless of storms,” said Senator Britt. “When I joined the Appropriations Committee, I promised to return your hard-earned taxpayer dollars home to Alabama, and I am doing just that with this funding. This appropriations bill, upon full Congressional passage, would enable a substantial investment in Gadsden that will protect against flooding that affects families, small businesses, and emergency responders.”

“This funding is critical to our residents. Anytime it rains in Gadsden, my office is inundated with calls about flooding issues. We have residents who have to put their furniture up on cinder blocks inside their homes whenever it rains just to try to keep things dry. Churches, businesses, and schools are all affected by local drainage challenges. The funding secured by Senator Britt will be a game-changer for our South Gadsden residents, and we can’t wait to see stormwater properly flowing through our city once again,” said Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford.

The FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act now awaits consideration by the full Senate.