The Franklin County Community Development Commission met October 30, 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 $3.172 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 October 30th meeting included:
--$2,500 to Tharptown High School for purchase of basketball shooting machine.
—$3,000 transfer to Future Economic Development Fund.
—$800 to Belgreen High School for special education purchase of classroom learning tools.
—$5,000 to Bass Tactix Alabama for purchase of live release boat.
—$2,500 to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for purchase of Base Case Executive UHD Monitoring System & Wireless Printer.
—$125 to Vina High School Cheerleading for All-American Field Trip.
—$1,250 to Vina High School Cheerleading for purchase of competition cheer mats.
—$800 to Belgreen High School Elementary Special Education for purchase of assistive resources and technology.
—$2,500 to Phil Campbell High School Softball for purchase of 16 athletic lockers.
—$2,000 to Franklin County Career Technical Center for purchase of mobile classroom tables.
—$2,500 to Franklin County Career Technical Center for replacement welding machine.
—$400 to Belgreen High School for Snack Room Project.
—$700 to Vina High School Kindergarten for purchase of educational classroom rug.
—$800 to Tharptown Elementary School for purchase of ACAP science workbooks.
—$800 to Phil Campbell High School for purchase of classroom presentation device.
—$5,000 to Russellville Main Street for capital improvements for office space.
—$1,500 to Vina High School athletics for gym floor project.
—$1,250 to the Place of Grace for operating expenses.
The next meeting of the FCCDC will be Friday, January 22nd, 2027, at 8:30 a.m., at the Franklin County Courthouse Annex. Grant requests for the January 22, 2027, meeting must be received by a commission member before 12 p.m., Friday, January 15th, 2027.