County will get $700,000-plus for BRAC work

U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, said Wednesday that the Madison County Commission will receive $722,438 from the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Economic Assistance for BRAC efforts.

Cramer also announced the U.S. House has approved more than $3 million for Madison County transportation projects.

The BRAC grant will be used to help Madison, Morgan, and Limestone counties prepare for the influx of residents moving to North Alabama as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission's recommendations for Redstone Arsenal.

"I'm pleased that the Department of Defense is providing this funding to help our community better prepare for BRAC," said Cramer. "Funding for impacted communities is something that I have advocated for since the BRAC recommendations were announced."

The transportation bill still requires U.S. Senate approval. Targeted projects include:

$1 million for the Multimodal Downtown Parking/Dallas Branch Greenway Development project.

$750,000 for improving Winchester Road.

$500,000 for improvements to Wall Triana Highway.

$500,000 for construction of the Church Street overpass.