WASHINGTON, DC – United States Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, announced earlier in the week the Senate Appropriations Committee approval of several funding requests for Alabama included in the Fiscal Year 2006 Interior Appropriations Bill. Among these projects was a large sum for the City of York to help complete vital projects.

The City of York is set to receive $700,000 through the bill. These funds will allow the city to make necessary sewer improvements for their community.

Shelby said he was glad to be able to help with the project and other city improvements.

“I was pleased to support this project,” Shelby said. “I believe that improvements to the community’s sewer system will lead to further economic growth in and around York.”

York Mayor Carolyn Mitchell Gosa said the money could not have come at a better time. She said the city’s representatives were overjoyed when they heard the money would be coming in.

“We received word that it had come through and we were ecstatic,” Gosa said. “Sen. Shelby’s office called and let us know that we had been awarded the grant and that everything had worked out.”

Gosa said the funding would be extremely helpful in completing their sewer project, which has been slow in progress because of a lack of funding. She added the money could also help out with other issues.

“This money will go a long way to help us with our projects,” Gosa said. “It will help us a lot with our sewer project and we hope there will be some left over to work on other projects.”

This particular grant is not obligated to a specific project. Gosa said if there are funds left over they have several projects they would like to address.

“We would like to do some work on our lagoon,” Gosa said. “With this grant, it is not set for a specific project like our CDBG grants. We can use it for whatever project we need. The funds are not targeted for one specific project.”

Above all, Gosa said she was grateful to know there was someone in Washington going to bat for them.

“We would just like to thank Sen. Shelby,” Gosa said. “He really came through for us.”

The water and sewer issues have been many for the city of York. Leaks and several other problems have led to widespread complaints and problems with drinking water Complaints about the water have ranged from its texture to its color leaving Gosa to encourage them each time that help was on the way. Once the grant is officially delivered, most, if not all, of these issues should be solved.