The City of Athens has brought in more than $11 million in grant funding since 2020, with much of that money going toward improving the city’s infrastructure.
The funding has come from several programs, including multiple grants totaling more than $2.8 million from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for the installation of emergency generators at critical facilities and a much needed comprehensive city-wide drainage study.
The city was also awarded more than $4 million from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for new sidewalks along Tyler Street and State Highway 19. Additional funding from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has helped pay for a new fire engine and community development projects.
Although not grants, the TWDB also issued $1.9 million in low-interest bonds to help the city finance the replacement of water and sewer lines.
“These grants have allowed us to make important improvements across Athens without relying only on local tax dollars,” said City Manager Elizabeth Borstad. “We’ve been able to add emergency generators, study drainage issues, improve sidewalks, and invest in public safety. This funding helps us tackle big projects that make Athens a better place to live and work.”
