GOOD HOPE, Ala. – The City of Good Hope on Wednesday, February 8, exploded at a Love’s Travel Stop off Interstate 65 and County 222 (Exit 305). On Friday, February 23, Governor Kay Ivey announced that the city was awarded a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to provide the infrastructure needed for the development.
“Cullman County continues to be a magnet for businesses and industries of every description and for good reason. It has a good business climate and great people,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to support this project. I congratulate the City of Good Hope for this business and look forward to further developments in this area.”
CDBG funds will help the city replace existing sewer lines with larger lines and install a sewer pump station. The improvements must also address future businesses that will relocate to the area.
Love’s Travel Stop will include a convenience store and a fast food restaurant. It will be open 24 hours, seven days a week and will employ “at least 35 people,” according to Ivey’s office. In the Feb. 8 Innovator, Love’s Real Estate Senior Project Manager Bill Gleason said, “…these 50-55 jobs that Love’s will create, plus the 50 or so jobs that McDonald’s will create will be here.”
City officials said the improvements will likely lead to other developments at the intersection.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grant from funds made available by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“ADECA is pleased to partner with Governor Ivey on this project that will bring new commerce to the City of Good Hope,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell.
Ivey’s office said the governor notified Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett that the grant had been approved.
The city has pledged $187,108 in local funding for the project.
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