FCCDC grant recipients include local high school baseball and softball playoff teams

The Franklin County Community Development Commission met June 12, 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 $3.105 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 June 12th meeting included:

—$800 to Phil Campbell Elementary School Library for purchase of new books.

—$1,500 to Belgreen High School Custodial Department for purchase of floor refinishing supplies.

—$500 to Russellville High School rocketry for National Competition expenses.

—$500 to Tharptown High School rocketry for National Competition expenses.

—$1,600 to Phil Campbell Elementary School Kindergarten class for updated reading and math centers.

—$1,350 to East Franklin Junior High School 2nd Grade class for classroom shelving project.

—$1,700 to Franklin County Career Technical Center for purchase of 2 of 3 classroom tables.

—$2,500 to City of Russellville for Jam On Sloss Lake expenses.

—$2,500 to City of Red Bay for Founders Fest expenses.

—$1,000 to Russellville Dream Center for funding for food assistance program.

—$1,264 to Hodges Rescue Squad for purchase of safety vests.

—$3,500 to Red Bay School Improvement for scoreboard sponsorship (commitment year 4 of 5).

—$2,500 to Red Bay Museum for Railroad Park project masonry work/other project expenses.

—$800 to Phil Campbell Elementary School 1st Grade class for purchase of touchscreen Chromebook.

—$500 to Russellville High School Baseball for state playoff expenses.

—$500 to Phil Campbell High School Baseball for state playoff expenses.

—$500 to Red Bay High School Baseball for state playoff expenses.

—$500 to Belgreen High School Baseball for state playoff expenses.

—$500 to Belgreen High School Softball for state playoff expenses.

—$500 to Tharptown High School Softball for state playoff expenses.

—$500 to Russellville High School Softball for state playoff expenses.

—$500 to Russellville High School Track for state playoff expenses.

—$6,000 to Future Economic Development Fund.

The next meeting of the FCCDC will be Friday, August 21, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., at the Red Bay City Hall. Grant requests for the August 21, 2026, meeting must be received by a commission member before 12 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2026.