FCCDC approves grants for Red Bay High School football, Russellville Fire Department

The Franklin County Community Development Commission met March 27, 2026, and approved a number of grants to local schools and non-profit agencies.

The commission, which includes Brad Bolton, Jeremy Campbell and Red Bay Mayor Mike Shewbart, 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 $2.66 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 March 27th meeting included:

—$1,500 to Vina Fire Department for purchase of fire suit equipment.

—$1,200 to the Franklin County Branch of the MLK Scholarship Committee for scholarship funding.

—$1,500 to Hodges Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for purchase of two mobile radios.

—$3,260 to Red Bay High School Football for field house flooring project.

—$2,500 to Russellville Fire Department for purchase of Bullex fire extinguisher system.

—$500 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters for scholarship funding.

—$2,500 to Phil Campbell High School baseball for facilities purchase of wind screens and back stop padding.

—$2,500 to VFW Post 5184 for facility remodeling project.

—$800 to Belgreen High School for computer science classroom purchase of learning tools.

—$400 to Phil Campbell Elementary School for purchase of classroom supplies.

—$1,225 to Tharptown High School for purchase of 14 radios for classrooms.

—$2,500 to Phil Campbell High School Music Program for prior-approved project after completed purchase verification. 

—$6,000 to Future Economic Development Fund.

The next meeting of the FCCDC will be Friday, June 12, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., at the Red Bay City Hall. Grant requests for the June 12, 2026, meeting must be received by a commission member before 12 p.m., Friday, June 5, 2026.