The City of Friendswood is proud of its community, a group of people who learn together and work together, full of patriotism and a strong civic identity, supported by wonderful volunteers and a thriving community spirit. While the city has had a wonderful time up till now as one of the Best Places to Live, they are preparing for the future by taking steps like redeveloping downtown, and equipping the city with resources for the future. The Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA) recently announced that a grant of $2.3 million has been awarded to the city to purchase back-up generators across the city to prepare for the future and well being of the city’s residents.

The $2.3 million Community Development Block Grant has been awarded to the City of Friendswood to purchase back-up generators at key water and sewer locations across town. Natural gas generators will be purchased for Surface Water Station #1, Water Wells #2 and #33, and for Friendswood Fire Stations 1,2, and 3. The grant was awarded in response to a proposal by the City of Friendswood which stated that back-up power was a primary concern for the health and welfare of area residents.

Under normal conditions water stations and water wells carry fresh water to the people of Friendswood and lift stations pump waste water to water treatment plants. However, in the case of natural disasters like Hurricane Ike which can cut power to lift stations for an extended period of time, the lift stations cannot work and sewer back-ups occur, posing risk to residents.

It is essential to have long term energy sources to power the lift station pumps to prevent sewer back-ups in the event of a long term power outage. The natural gas generators will ensure that sewer systems continue to work and flow properly in such unforeseen events.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs, and was awarded to Friendswood and other communities under a Presidential disaster declaration resulting from Hurricane Ike in 2008. Generally the funds are awarded to states through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG program is one of the longest continuously running programs at HUD and continues to help communities such as Friendswood prepare for future development.