Eleven Madison County-area projects will share $106,691 in grant funding from Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council and the Madison County Legislative Delegation.
The awards were announced Tuesday at Riverton Elementary School. The money will support outdoor education, youth programs, agricultural learning, public safety, parks and trails, senior services and healthy living efforts across the county.
“Each one of these grants represents people in Madison County identifying a need and stepping forward with a plan to make their community stronger,” said Renona Seibert, executive director of AMRV RC&D. “Our partnership with the Madison County Legislative Delegation allows us to put resources directly into the hands of schools, nonprofits, local governments and community organizations that are doing the work every day.”
Among the larger awards, Next Step Farms received $18,000 for its Creating Healthy Habits program. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service was awarded $15,000 for 4-H Pig Squeal, and Madison County Commission District 1 received $15,000 for improvements at the New Sharon Senior Center.
Several schools and youth organizations also secured funding. Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary and Riverton Elementary each received $10,000 for outdoor classroom and overlook projects. Hazel Green High School FFA got $10,000 for its Reap What You Raise program, while the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama received nearly $7,000 for academic success efforts.
Other recipients include the City of Owens Cross Roads, Burritt on the Mountain, Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley and Owens Cross Roads Police Search and Rescue.
State Rep. Rex Reynolds thanked the groups for their local impact.
“With boots on the ground, you are doing this amazing work that is having such a huge positive impact on our community and those who live in it,” Reynolds said.
State Rep. Laura Hall highlighted the focus on young people.
“I think it is so important that the focus is on our young people, our children,” Hall said. “The message, ‘We see you,’ resonates.”
State Sen. Steve Livingston and State Rep. Ritchie Whorton also praised the projects for returning resources to communities and filling needs in education and recreation.
AMRV RC&D supports educational and community development work across Cullman, Morgan, Madison, Limestone, Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb counties. The grants reflect an ongoing partnership with local legislators to fund projects with lasting community impact.
Zachary Austin is a writer for 256 Today. You can contact him at [email protected].
Got a tip for OTR? Send your tip to [email protected] with related photo/video, your name, phone number, and e-mail address.
