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Gov. Kay Ivey has announced grants totaling $2.6 million to improve outdoor recreational facilities in 12 Alabama communities.

The awards, made through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, range from overhauling a public boat landing to upgrading ball fields.

“Alabama’s parks, playgrounds and trails promote healthier lives and happier people,” Gov. Ivey said. “These projects will encourage people to enjoy Alabama’s outdoors, and they will help create memories that will last a lifetime. I commend local leaders for understanding that parks and playgrounds contribute so much to a community’s health and well-being.”

The LWCF program was created by Congress in 1965 to assist states with the development and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs manages the program in Alabama.

“Parks and playgrounds that are well-maintained and frequently used say so much about a community and its people,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to be a partner with Governor Ivey, the National Park Service and these local communities in making these projects a reality.”

Under the LWCF program, recipients are required to equally match the amount of the award with cash or in-kind commitments.

Grants and projects (listed geographically from north to south) awarded are:

Anderson ($8,000)- The Lauderdale County town will create an outdoor nature learning center at the Anderson Town Park where children will learn about insects, plants and aquatic life from a nearby stream.

Rogersville ($118,766) – Funds will be used to build four tennis courts and rehabilitate two existing courts at the town park.

Huntsville ($230,000) – The Huntsville-Madison County Marina and Port Authority will use funds to improve safety, security and access at Ditto Landing by dredging the harbor, installing new docks, refurbishing the boat ramp and improving bathrooms, lighting and the entrance.

Cullman ($350,000) – The city will provide an overhaul at Nesmith Park including constructing a splash pad, playground, basketball and pickleball (paddleball) courts, multi-use fields, walking trail and restrooms.

Springville ($175,000)- The city will renovate baseball and softball fields at Springville City Park including press boxes and concession stands and add parking.

Trussville ($175,000) -The project will include renovating existing baseball and softball fields at Masonic Park/Cahaba Creek Greenway and add outdoor exercise equipment.

Lincoln ($350,000)- The city will construct a park on a newly acquired 190-acre site. Development under the grant will include a playground, picnic areas, walking trail, restrooms, parking, signage and landscaping.

Demopolis ($247,675) – The city will upgrade two ballfields including lighting and batting cages at Demopolis Sports Plex.

Pike Road ($350,000) – The town will build two multi-purpose ballfields, parking and walks on a 5-acre site which is part of a larger tract donated to the town.

Clayton ($21,631) – The city will use funds to provide playground equipment at Peanut Butter Hill Park.

Geneva ($348,550) – The city plans to construct a soccer complex at C.D. Chapman Memorial Park. The project will include adding a parking lot, restrooms, sidewalks and installation of fencing and lighting.

Summerdale ($234,100) – The town will construct four lighted tennis courts and a parking area on a 2.5-acre city-owned site at the intersection of First and East Jefferson streets.

Under the LWCF program eligible applicants may include municipalities, county governments, state agencies and state authorities created by the Legislature. The program can fund projects involving playfields, trails, parks, playgrounds, picnic and camping areas, including related amenities and land acquisition which will be dedicated for recreation use.

The city of Haleyville has taken full advantage of a $150,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant awarded through ADECA in late 2016 to improve outdoor recreation opportunities for residents. That project, which included constructing a walking trail, installing playground equipment, and improving access and parking at the Haleyville Sports Complex, is complete.

“The Haleyville Sports Complex has been an excellent addition to our recreational program,” Mayor Ken Sunseri said. “The Land and Water Conservation grant enabled us to place a walking trail around the fields and provide a playground that is accessible and equipped for individuals with disabilities.”

Sunseri also talked about the positive economic impact the entire complex has had on the city, which located in Winston and Marion counties.

“Haleyville is now able to host tournaments for local teams and travel teams. The economic impact from the tournaments has paid expenses and made a profit for the city,” Sunseri said. “The tournaments have brought visitors from several different states and players from all over the state. Our local retail businesses, restaurants and service stations have been overwhelmed by the influx of customers which greatly assists our sales tax revenue.”

During a recent visit to northwest Alabama, ADECA’s Communications and External Affairs Unit stopped by the complex to see the finished product and take a few photos.

The LWCF program was created by Congress in 1964 to assist states with the development and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. ADECA manages the program in Alabama.

“We are thankful for the assistance provided by the ADECA for their assistance in providing a recreational opportunity and economic growth to the City of Haleyville,” Sunseri said.

More than 100 towns, cities and counties in Alabama submitted grant applications to ADECA by Tuesday’s deadline for the Community Development Block Grant competitive program.

Our Community and Economic Development Division accepted 114 applications for the annual program. The application deadline means CED staff will soon begin the review and rating process. Grants are usually awarded by the Governor in late fall to early winter.

The CDBG program helps local government address issues involving water, sewage, roads and other projects that benefit communities. The competitive grant program also includes planning grants and community enhancement grants.

Large cities are eligible to receive grants up to $450,000 while small cities and counties can apply for grants up to $350,000.

Grant awards are based on a number of factors that may include total number of low- and moderate-income beneficiaries and amount of matching funds. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates CDBG funds to Alabama and the other states.

The 25th annual Alabama Lifestyles Expo was last week in City of Orange Beach. ADECA sponsors this event which allows cities, counties, chambers of commerce, and businesses to showcase what they have to offer to "snowbirds" and other visitors to Alabama. The video includes some highlights and quick interviews with our director Jim Byard Jr., a couple from Ohio, and representatives from Publix, Wetumpka, Alabama, Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce.

“This is so great that I can’t even express it in words!“

That’s how Pike Road resident Mark Smith described the repairs made to his home in the Freeport Estates neighborhood with assistance from a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant administered by ADECA.

Resident Thomas Salery was equally enthusiastic about the improvements made to the home of he and his wife Deborah.

“This is the best thing since sliced bread,” he told Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone during a recent visit to the neighborhood to view progress on a nearly completed project to rehabilitate more than 25 low-income houses in need of major repairs.

Stone said that appreciation has been a common refrain from neighborhood residents in recent days.

“We’ve seen tremendous expressions of gratitude from residents who’ve shown that they are very appreciative of (the improvements),” Stone said.

The town received the grant in late 2014 to fund a majority of the project. ADECA’s Community and Economic Development Division managed the grant with the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission assisting Pike Road with the project.

The majority of Freeport Estates residents live on limited incomes with many homeowners being older or disabled. Homeowners applied to be included in the project, and those selected put up a small match to contribute to the repairs. Improvements varied among the houses but common repairs included roofing, siding and insulation, replacing rotten exterior wood, replacing inefficient air conditioning systems and ductwork and upgrading old, drafty doors and windows with energy efficient models.

The rehabilitation not only improved the appearance of the houses but also helped lower monthly utility bills.

“I can’t wait to see my (electricity) bill because I know it will be a lot cheaper than it was,” said Smith whose house was under renovation during a visit in late May.

ADECA awards millions of dollars in CDBGs to Alabama cities, towns and counties on a competitive basis each year. The funds are made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition to housing rehabilitation, other projects eligible for funding include water line and sewer extensions and repairs, road rehabilitation, construction or renovation of community and senior centers and infrastructure to prepare for a new plant or industry.

The Central Alabama Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, or CARPDC, played a key role in helping Pike Road apply for the grant and, once the town received the grant, coordinating contractor work and helping Pike Road follow the proper grant policies and procedures. The agency is one of 12 regional development councils in Alabama that assist smaller municipal governments with planning, management, human resources and other needs.

CARPDC Executive Director Greg Clark said ADECA is valuable because it provides a single point of contact for Alabama communities seeking grant assistance with community and economic development needs and opportunities. “It is our go-to agency when one of our governments has an issues locally, and we want to look on the national stage to fund help for our communities,” he said.

In addition to the CDBG funding for the Freeport Estates project, Pike Road has received ADECA-administered grants to build a recreational trail.

“ADECA has been a very useful tool for us because of the diversity of economic and community development programming,” Stone said.

With a safer, more comfortable house and much more manageable utility bills, Deborah Salery said she and her husband are very grateful for the grant program that’s enabled the town to greatly improve their quality of life.

April 27, 2016, marked five years since a string of devastating tornadoes leveled the small Alabama town of Hackleburg. With help from a Community Development Block Grant administered by ADECA, Bright Beginnings has been able to open to help meet the daycare needs of the town.