Commission Chairman Freddie Armstead received good news from the state’s capital last week as Marengo County was given a substantial grant to help victims of domestic violence.

Gov. Bob Riley awarded a $58,897 grant to the Marengo County Commission to continue providing shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Riley awarded the grant from funds made available to the state through a program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has designated the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to administer the grant. He said the grant was awarded to help Alabamians and citizens of Marengo County provide shelter for domestic violence victims.

“Alabamaians who fall victim to domestic violence often need emergency assistance,” Riley said. “This grant helps victims get back on their feet and I am pleased to provide these funds.”

Armstead said the grant will go a long way toward helping victims get back on their feet and the county was very grateful to have gotten the funds.

“This is a very good grant and we feel very fortunate,” Armstead said. “We were very glad to get this grant and we know it will do a lot of good.”

The grant will go to help Helen’s House, which is a shelter for victims of domestic violence of all ages. Armstead said the commission will distribute the funds to the domestic violence shelters to help pay operating costs such as maintenance, rent, security, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, food and furnishings.

“This will help Helen’s House to help pay for food, bills and other things,” Armstead said. “This will help keep the county from incurring the expense and really help out a lot.”

Armstead gave much of the credit to those who help run the shelter and assist in the application process. He said without them, the process might not have been as successful.

“We felt very good about getting the grant,” Armstead said. “The grant was done through Suzanne Smith and we feel very lucky to have her and her knowledge of how to apply for the grants.”