The Franklin County Community Development Commission met November 1, 2024, and approved a number of grants to local schools and non-profit agencies.
The commission, which includes Brad Bolton, Jeremy Campbell and Russellville Mayor David Grissom, meets quarterly to review grant applications. The commission is comprised of two appointees from Franklin County's legislative delegation and a rotating seat between the mayors of Russellville and Red Bay. Sen. Larry Stutts reappointed Bolton and Rep. Jamie Kiel reappointed Campbell to another four-year term.
With the most recent grants, more than $2.742 million has been returned to Franklin County since the inception of the funding. The funds come from in lieu of tax payments from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Grant awards for the November 1st meeting included:
--$6,000 to Future Economic Development Fund.
--$2,500 to Tharptown High School Basketball (resubmission) for purchase of 10 foot scorers table.
--$3,800 to Belgreen High School (resubmission) for handicapped playground project.
--$4,500 to Tharptown High School (resubmission) for musical theatre start up project.
--$250 to Tharptown Elementary School for expenses with field trips for special needs class.
--$800 to Tharptown High School Rocketry for purchase of equipment.
--$250 to Phil Campbell High School JAG and SADD clubs for expenses for trunk or treat event for elementary students.
--$800 to Red Bay High School juniors and seniors to build and test remote rockets.
--$800 to East Franklin Junior High School for purchase of table and chairs.
--$800 to Belgreen School for Learning Experience Classroom supplies.
--$1,250 to Tharptown High School Softball for purchase of Hack Attack Pitching Machine.
--$2,500 to Vina Fire Department for replacement of fire suits/helmets/masks.
--$250 to Red Bay High School juniors and seniors for ACT Workshop.
--$250 to Phil Campbell FFA Club, for expenses for trip to national convention.
--$1,000 to Vina High School Softball for updates to concession stand.
--$750 to Vina High School Boys Basketball for gym floor refurbishing.
--$250 to Vina High School for expenses for supplies for annual school fundraiser.
--$250 to Vina High School Youth League for fees/equipment updates.
--$250 to Vina High School FFA Club for expenses to National Convention trip.
--$500 to Vina High School Drama Class for costume purchase, audio cabinet and materials.
--$250 to Vina High School Cross Country for purchase of uniforms, shoes, necessities.
--$1,250 to Vina High School Cheerleading for purchase of competition mats.
--$250 to Vina High School for expenses for Misc. trips.
--$250 to Vina High School for NSTA Conference expenses.
--$800 to East Franklin Junior High for special education program and expenses for Learning Experience Classroom supplies.
--$1,500 to Belgreen High School Baseball for purchase of viewing equipment, protective backstop padding and equipment.
--$1,500 to Russellville High School Moving Music Forward Project for updates to band program transportation needs.
--$2,000 to Easterseals of NW Alabama for resources to fund services for the disabled.
--$250 to PCHS for setup of student fund for necessities.
--$500 to PCHS sports medicine class expenses for classroom supplies.
--$1,500 to Vina High School Band for uniform purchases.
--$500 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters for scholarship funding for Russellville and Red Bay.
--$800 to Franklin County Board of Education for health services purchase of otoscope and other supplies.
--$800 to Belgreen Elementary Computer Lab for upgrades to equipment.
--$1,500 to Red Bay Elementary for implementation of musical programs.
--$2,500 to Russellville High School volleyball for purchase of VeriMax V8 Training System.
--$250 to Belgreen High School for Academic Booster Club for expenses for reward breakfasts.
--$800 for Belgreen High School Second Grade purchase of headphones with microphones and supplies.
--$250 to Belgreen High School for special education classroom supplies.
The next meeting of the FCCDC will be January 31, 2025, , at 8:30 a.m., at Red Bay City Hall. Grant requests for the January 31, 2025, meeting must be received by a commission member before 12 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2025.
