Record $172K in grants awarded

RUSSELLVILLE — Six Franklin County schools, the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, five volunteer fire departments, and other organizations shared the most grant money the Northwest Resource Conservation & Development Council has ever provided for Franklin County.

Northwest RC&D officials announced Thursday the county was receiving 23 grants totaling $172,001.

“Our goal is to bring more of our tax dollars home to our local communities next year,” District 18 State Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, said. “There is no better way to invest taxpayers money than in local communities. Local people decide where the grant goes, not a Montgomery bureaucrat or politician. I am very comfortable with local folks using their tax dollars in their communities where the money can do the most good.”

Northwest RC&D Council Executive Director Lauranne James said $172,001 is the most money Franklin County Northwest RC&D has provided to Franklin County for any given year.

“Our budget has steadily increased each year allowing Northwest RC&D to increase the number of projects we’re able to fund to over 100 projects for fiscal year 2025,” said Northwest RC&D Council Executive Director Lauranne James.

Kiel said RC&D’s budget increased in 2025 by $2.2 million over the previous year. He said it will be increased by $2.6 million for a total of $17,668,986 for fiscal year 2026.

James said the agency received more than 190 applications for the upcoming fiscal year.

“I speculate we will be funding 100 plus projects for Fiscal Year 2026,” James said. “Northwest RC&D has the ability to put the funds back into the communities based on the needs and the applications we receive throughout our five-county region. This would not be possible if our state legislators, like Rep. Kiel and Sen. (Larry) Stutts, did not support RC&D efforts throughout the state.”

State Sen. Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, said he fully supports the RC&D program.

“I’m glad we’re increasing the funding for it,” Stutts said. “It’s a very good way to get tax money back to local projects, and the local people know better where it needs to be spent, so I am always very supportive to get some of your money back in your.

He said RC&D does a great job identifying projects, screening those projects and making sure the projects are completed.

Kiel said he anticipates about 1,000 RC&D projects will be approved statewide in 2026.

The grants awarded for Franklin County:

• Bear Creek Collaborative, making Bear Creek accessible, $6,976;

• Blue Springs Volunteer Fire Department, light service truck, $5,000;

• East Franklin Junior High School, gym and classroom updates, $12,000;

• East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, Operation Extrication, $11,000;

• Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, highway safety, $12,000;

• Franklin County Technical Response Team, planning and exercises, $5,000;

• Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, water drone project, $6,000;

• Franklin County Fire & Rescue, advanced training, $5,000;

• Belgreen High School, accessible outdoor playground, $8,000;

• Tharptown High School, sound system, $8,000;

• Hodges Volunteer Fire Department, rescue bags, $6,000;

• North Alabama Trails & Recreation, rural recreation development, $6,000;

• Phil Campbell High School, percussion equipment, $5,000;

• Phil Campbell, Rescue Squad, extrication safety gear, $6,000;

• Russellville City Schools, school graphics, $8,000;

• Russellville Middle School, Students for Success, $7,024;

• Tharptown High School, football uniforms, $15,000;

• Tharptown High School, uniforms and equipment, $5,000;

• Tharptown High School, school baseball equipment, $10,000;

• T h a r p t o w n Elementary School gym, sound dampening panels, $5,000;

• The Roxy Theater, marquee, lights and canopy, $10,000;

• Belgreen High School, greenhouse, $5,000;

• Franklin County EMA, light project, $5,000.