Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $141,641 grant to help eliminate a potential health hazard in the city of Red Bay.

The funds, from the Appalachian Regional Commission, will enable the Red Bay Sewage Disposal Board to replace downtown sewer lines that are prone to leaking and are causing sewage to back up.

“For the last half century, the Appalachian Regional Commission has assisted Alabama towns, counties and communities with numerous projects to improve lives,” Ivey said. “I am proud of that partnership and the program’s ability to help cities like Red Bay address critical issues.”

The new sewer lines near Fourth Avenue South, between Eighth and Sixth streets, will replace 70-year-old lines that have decayed over the years, allowing sewage to escape and enabling groundwater to penetrate the pipe.

The new sewer main will be placed on the opposite side of railroad tracks from where it is now and closest to the businesses served, explained a press release announcing the grant, eliminating the need for lateral lines to go under the tracks.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC in Alabama.

“ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Ivey and ARC in helping to move Red Bay forward and reduce a potential health risk,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Franklin County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.