The Franklin County Community Development Commission met May 23, 2025, and awarded grants to multiple schools and agencies.
The commission, which includes Brad Bolton, Jeremy Campbell and Red Bay Mayor Charlene Fancher, 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 $2.84 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 May 23rd meeting included:
—$500 to Franklin County Special Olympics for supplies and equipment for Special Olympics event.
—$800 to Phil Campbell Elementary School for library supplies.
—$500 to Belgreen Elementary School for playground mulch and perimeter borders.
—$1,500 to Belgreen High School for snack room restroom renovation project.
—$250 to Belgreen Elementary School 3rd grade for field trip expenses.
—$1,500 to Russellville Fire Department for equipment purchase for emergency and fire services management program.
—$1,500 to Franklin County Fire & Rescue Squad for purchase of fire protective hoods.
—$2,500 to Franklin County Chamber of Commerce for Watermelon Festival sponsorship.
—$800 to East Franklin Junior High School for second grade reading project.
—$1,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals for Red Bay and Russellville scholarships.
—$500 to Red Bay Lions Club.
—$250 to Belgreen Elementary third grade for field trip expenses.
—$800 to Belgreen Elementary for first grade classroom library.
—$500 to Red Bay Elementary School for elementary student project expenses.
—$1,500 to Russellville Fire Department for purchase of materials for fire prevention program.
—$4,000 to Town of Phil Campbell for improvements at youth baseball fields including dirt work, portable pitching mound and scoreboard maintenance.
—$800 to East Franklin Junior High for purchase of STEM tables.
—$1,250 to Red Bay High School for installation of vinyl wall clings for school hallways.
—$800 to Phil Campbell Elementary first grade classroom for purchase of classroom supplies and books.
—$1,000 to Union Community Center for purchase of sound panels.
—$3,500 to Red Bay School for scoreboard project—year 3 of 5 year commitment.
—$250 to Junior Miss of Alabama for Distinguished Young Women.
—$500 to Russellville High School baseball team for state playoffs travel expenses.
--$6,000 transfer to the Future Economic Development Fund.
The next meeting of the FCCDC will be July 18, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., at the Red Bay City Hall. Grant requests for the July 18, 2025, meeting must be received by a commission member before 12 p.m., July 11, 2025.
