RC&D council recognizes finished projects throughout county

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
FROG POND- The Northwest Alabama Resource and Development Council gathered five counties together for their quarterly meeting Friday at the Frog Pond Community Center.
Representatives from Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Marion and Winston counties came and enjoyed a complementary lunch provided by the Franklin County Commission.
RC&D coordinator Charlie Meek said it is great to bring all of the counties together so that we are able to show our appreciation towards all them and their efforts to make our communities better.
The 2010 council awards were handed out to those who played a significant role in the achievements of the RC&D organization. Sen. Roger Bedford was nominated by the RC&D council to represent Franklin County at the 2010 “You Make a Difference” awards, which will be presented at the state meeting in Montgomery later this year.
Several projects were recognized as being completed and paid for including
The Franklin County Imagination Library, textbooks for Tharptown High School, Spirit of Hodges Festival, upgraded equipment at Russellville Head Start, Spruce Pine Community and the Andrea Gonzalez Education Memorial.
USDA Rural Development area director Eddie Brooks became the man of the hour after speaking to the audience about his ability to tap into some stimulus money.
Through its 40 loan programs, USDA Rural Development has been able to fund several projects over 18 different counties. The department is currently working on projects in Hodges and Red Bay.
Brooks said even though the programs they offer are predominately loan-operated, there is an abundance of funds available for all types of Rural Development type projects. Brooks and Vandiver made plans to visit the Frog Pond volunteer fire department and both believe it has the potential to be their next upgrade project.