COLUMBIA, La. (KNOE) - After years of breaking even, the Town of Columbia is celebrating a major financial turnaround, reporting a $650,000 budget surplus this year.

Town leaders say the change came from a combination of federal and state grants and strong community support through local events.

Columbia recently received more than $5.8 million through the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, which provides funding for areas damaged by the 2016 floods. The grant will help the town repair and upgrade its aging water, sewer and drainage systems which are more than 40 years old.

In addition, the town secured a $500,000 grant through Louisiana Act 406 for disaster mitigation projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure and improving public safety.

Mayor Hannah Springer says a big boost also c

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