2021 Projects

FY 2021 – Colbert County

Technology Enhancement – The Colbert County EMA purchased laptops to operate a mobile command post when catastrophic events occur locally and afar. 

Office Upgrades – The Colbert County 911 needed funding to upgrade their office space. This grant purchased desks and other needed items to improve daily work. 

Replacement of Obsolete AED & CPR Training Equipment – Funding provided New Bethel Volunteer Fire Department lifesaving equipment to better serve the local community. 

North AL African Heritage Festival – The North Alabama African Heritage Association provides an adventure where people can come out and enjoy a free festival commitment to Arts & Culture. 

CPR Training/Response Equipment – Funding provided Nitrate City Volunteer Fire Department the ability to purchase adequate CPR equipment. 

Battery Powered Fan – Hwy 247 Fire Department purchased a battery powered fan to assist in structural fires. 

Outdoor Classroom – New Bethel Elementary created a wonderful learning environment. Students participated in hands-on learning projects that will help the school accomplish STEAM goals and objectives.  

Parking Lot Safety – Hatton Elementary School was in dire need of assistance repairing the parking lot. This was a matter of safety for staff, parents, and students.

RiverKids – The Colbert County 4H provides students a program to explore Alabama’s wonderful waterways and ecosystems. This funding provided the supplies needed to assist this program. 

Firefighter Equipment – The Spring Valley Volunteer Fire Department purchased a positive pressure ventilation fan and thermal imager to keep the firefighters safe while entering structures. 

Concession Trailer Wrap – The Colbert County Cattlemen’s Association received funding to wrap the trailer used for the steak sandwich sales which raise funds to provide scholarships for student members. 

Alloys Park Kayak Storage – This project allowed the Colbert County Commission to construct a Kayak storage facility and launch ramp for the boat landing at Colbert Alloys Park. 

FY 2021 – Marion County

GYM LED Lights – To provide better lighting and eliminate noise from the old lights during Physical Education classes and other school activities held in the gym of Brilliant High School. 

Google Chromebooks for School – Guin Elementary School made a push to provide classrooms and labs with Chromebooks. 

Reading Material – Hackleburg Elementary school was able to create small group reading classrooms to provide a great program that encourages reading for the students.

Downtown Beautification – The Winfield Main Street project used the funds to create a beautiful place for residents to enjoy for years to come. 

Flock Safety Cameras – This project provided funds for Winfield Police Department to purchase new license plate reading cameras to cut down on speeding violations. 

Terrific Technology – This project purchased electronic boards to provide innovative programs and technology in order to improve reading instruction at Phillips Elementary. 

Outdoor Learning and Technology Integration to Improve Learning – Brilliant School created a beautiful outdoor classroom to enhance the learning experience for all their students. 

4 H Virtual Program Environmental and Wildlife Education –  This project was to teach students about agriculture, leadership, STEM, Art, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, healthy living and outdoor recreation by meeting virtually. 

Safety Project – Marion County High School used funds to purchase main entrance rugs and traffic safety cones for the school to provide a safe environment. 

Athletic Weight Room – Emily’s Kids Foundation used funds to purchase new weight room flooring for Hamilton High School weight room. 

TI84 Plus CE Graphing Calculators – The Community Partners for Education received funds to purchase graphing calculators to be used for Phillips High School 10^th-12^th grade science and mathematics classes. 

Hackleburg Park – The Town of Hackleburg used funds to help modernize and create a safe place for exercise and fun for the town and community. 

FY 2021 – Winston County

ADA Covered Sidewalk – Lynn High School used funding to provide a safe and covered sidewalk for students, facility, and visitors parking area. This project also removed hazards as well as making the entrance from the parking area handicap accessible.

Baseball/Softball Erosion Problem – This project provided Addison High School the funds to correct the erosion problems in the infield and outfield. This will also help to ensure safety of the players. 

Harvest of Hope – This project provided the funds to construct an ECO-Cold room to be used as a food pantry to store perishable food items until distribution of food to low income citizens of Haleyville. This unit was retrofitted with CoolBot technology by the students from Haleyville Center of Technology Agri-Science program.  

Interactive Smart Boards – Double Springs Elementary School used funds to enhance their educational technology by purchasing interactive smart boards to cater to all learning styles. 

STEAM Learning – Haleyville City Schools were able to purchase a 3D printer and Dash Robots for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math education classes. These tools will provide students with the tools necessary to hone skills, knowledge, and thinking strategies that prepare them to be innovative, creative, and systematic problem-solvers in our global economy. 

Truck Communications – Funds went to provide Ashridge Volunteer Fire Department much needed radios in trucks for forest rescue efforts. 

Handicap Access – This project provided funds for the Town of Arley to construct handicap accessible ramps at Hamner Park for the pavilion and playground area. 

Environmental STEAM “Full STEAM Ahead” Phase II – This second phase at Lynn Elementary School went to provide an educational outdoor classroom for these students. This program provides free technical and organizational assistance for schools who wish to create a sustainable outdoor classroom site to be used as an effective educational tool for hands-on, outdoor learning opportunities. 

FY 2021 – Lauderdale County

Trail of Tears at Waterloo Landing – Funds will assist the Town of Waterloo in hosting and promoting the Trail of Tears and provide more community events. 

Lighting St. Florian – The Town of St. Florian was able to light up a local park with the funding provided. 

Increasing Access to Professional Development – The Shoals Nonprofit Center provided workshops focused on skill building and impacting the lives of each individual in attendance. 

Park Upgrades – The Town of Lexington used funds to upgrade the baseball field infrastructure and disc golf course to enhance the community. 

Ag Program Greenhouse Electrical Wiring – Florence High School (Freshman Center) used funds to complete the electrical wiring for the greenhouse. This will allow the students to learn about agriculture, plant production and sales.  

Senior/Community Center Updates – Funds went to the Town of Waterloo to make repairs and update at the local senior/community center which serves the entire community. 

Grain Silo Entrapment Training – This project partnered with ACES in Lauderdale County to provide lifesaving training to the local Fire Departments and producers on grain silo entrapment. 

A Healthy & Vital Aging Population Via Improvements & Expansion – The Lauderdale County Commission used funds to make improvements at the Greenhill Senior Center. These enhancements provide a central location for socialization, education, recreation and health promotion for the area senior citizens. 

Revision of the TN River Exhibit –The Children’s Museum of the Shoals used funds to repair the Tennessee River Exhibit model of the lock from the TN river to teach visitors about the importance of the TN River and to learn about how the river impacts the area. 

Girls in Ag Program – The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s project was designed to focus on females, ages 13-16 years old, interested in agriculture, enrolled in any school based in Lauderdale County, to educate the participants about agriculture careers. 

FY 2021 – Franklin County 

Park Security – The Town of Hodges is a very small municipality with no police department. This project purchased security cameras for the public park to assist with any suspicious activities at the park. 

Traffic Safety – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received funds to purchase a Python Moving Police Radar System for the patrol units. The radars will be used according to departmental procedures and each deputy will be certified users. 

Girls Changing Area – Funding from this grant went to upgrading Belgreen High School’s girl’s locker room. 

Softball Facility Upgrade Phase 2 – This project helped Vina’s student athletes develop pride with extracurricular activities while carrying over into the classroom with their academic achievements. 

Archery in School – This allowed Phil Campbell High School to purchase fundamental equipment to provide students the opportunity to learn skills in archery. 

Maintaining Learning During Covid-19 – Belgreen School was not equipped to provide the 5^th & 6^th graders one to one technology. This grant provided the additional technology tools needed for the students to achieve a better education. 

Gotta Get Back to the Basics & Help Us Do the “Write” Thing – Tharptown Elementary School implemented the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness curriculum to build the students’ confidence as they master grade level phonics skills and at the same time, develop a love for reading.  

Virtual Learning Technology for Covid Crisis – This project enabled Russellville High School students the equipment needed and the ability to receive live instruction while not present in the classroom.  

Javelin Runway Track – Russellville High School javelin track was repaired and updated to better meet the needs of the team.  

Coming Up Short – During the pandemic, technology became essential for teaching in schools. Tharptown Elementary had 492 students attending with only 80 devices available for use. This grant provided funding to purchase more devices to assist the students while going virtual.   

Dive Team – The Franklin County Commission used funds to update the side scan imaging sonar for the Franklin County Dive Team. This emergency equipment will be used not only in Franklin County but surrounding counties to assist in recovery efforts. 

Walking Trail & Outdoor Classroom – Northwest-Shoals Community College used funding to revitalize the walking trail and outdoor classroom on the Phil Campbell Campus. This area will be used by the college as well as local schools for students to create stimulating learning environments, conducive to STEM, Physical Education, and Language Arts instruction.

Northwest RC&D Council
FY 2021 – Multi-County Projects 

Hands on Liberty – Liberty Learning Foundation taught crucial lessons in civics, character, financial literacy, and social studies in Colbert, Marion, and Lauderdale counties.

In Harmony with Nature – This project benefited parks in need of updates or new equipment to encourage outdoor activities for the local communities. 

Regional Weather Radio – Northwest partnered with EMAs to purchase and distribute 455 Midland Weather Radios to disburse to citizens in our region.

GROWN (Gardens, Raised-beds, Opportunity, Water, Nature) – This project grew into a huge success reaching those of all ages in areas throughout the counties we serve. We partnered with schools, County Extension Coordinators, SNAP Educators, and many others to provide schools and local communities education resources and supplies for raised beds, greenhouses, and community gardens.