TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. (WHKY) — Alexander County has been awarded a $640,184.10 grant from the North Carolina 911 Board to replace outdated equipment at the county’s 911 communications center and improve backup communications capabilities.

The grant was announced during the North Carolina 911 Board meeting held August 28 in Raleigh after being recommended for approval by the board’s Grant Committee.

According to Alexander County E-911 Communications Director Greg Foster, the funding will allow the county to replace four outdated radio consoles at its primary communications center and establish radio console connectivity at its required backup center, located within the Iredell County Emergency Communications Center.

The total project cost is $1,221,836.58. Of that amount, $640,184.10 will be funded through the North Carolina 911 Board grant, while the remaining $581,652.48 will be covered through the State of North Carolina’s Emergency Telephone System Fund. No local taxpayer dollars will be required to fund the project.

Foster said the investment will provide Alexander County E-911 Communications with modern and dependable radio communications capabilities while improving continuity of operations and resiliency.

County Manager Justin Mundy said the project is an important investment in the safety of Alexander County residents and first responders and will help ensure telecommunicators can communicate with emergency personnel when seconds matter.

Alexander County thanked the North Carolina 911 Board Grant Committee for recommending the project and the North Carolina 911 Board for approving the grant.