Ted Clem, with the Alabama Department of Commerce, presents Sequence Health CEO John Richmond with a state seal of Alabama for the company's new office.

A $100,000 grant announced Wednesday by the governor will assist Cullman in completing a medical call center.

The Community Development Block Grant will help the city prepare a 15,000-square-foot facility at Cullman Industrial Park 3 for a new call center and medical consultation facility for Sequence Health, a Georgia-based company that specializes in patient engagement and health care management systems. The center will create 20 new jobs initially and up to 128 jobs in the next five years, company officials said in a news release from Gov. Robert Bentley’s office.

“It’s always great to have financial help and support from the state in our efforts to create jobs in Cullman. Partnerships like this with the state are important as we work to strengthen opportunities in our economy,” Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said.

“Job creation remains my number one priority, and this grant will provide new employment opportunities now and in the near future,” Bentley said. “I am pleased to play a role in this project to bring these new jobs in a growing field to residents in the Cullman area.”

The grant will help with site preparation, add retention ponds and make needed water and sewer upgrades for the new facility, according to the release.

Sequence Health will employee nurses and customer service representatives to assist the doctors’ offices and medical facilities that contract with them and their patients. City officials said the company will work closely with the School of Nursing at Wallace State Community College to fill many of the new positions.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.

“The Community Development Block Grant program is one of the best examples of how ADECA works with local leaders on projects to improve the lives of residents,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “ADECA is pleased to partner with Mayor Woody Jacobs and the city of Cullman to bring these new and needed jobs to the area.”

The city has committed matching funds of $50,000 toward the project.