ANNISTON, AL — More than $94,000 in grant funding supported education, public safety, workforce development, health services, conservation and community projects across Calhoun County during the past fiscal year.
The Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council held its FY26 Calhoun County Grants Celebration Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce in Anniston. The event brought together grant recipients, community partners and elected officials to highlight projects funded throughout the county.
According to the event program, the grants represented a total community investment of $94,803.16.
Among the largest awards was $14,432.53 to the Anniston Waterworks & Sewer Board for its Water/Wastewater Utility Training Initiative. The funding provided training and certification opportunities for utility employees. During the event, a Waterworks representative said the training has helped increase the number of qualified water and wastewater operators available locally and elsewhere in the state.
Piedmont High School received $13,934.52 for the Piedmont Fire Academy, supporting hands-on fire and emergency response training. Chief Toller said grant funding allowed the program to obtain classroom furnishings and other resources it otherwise may not have been able to purchase. He also said the program has recorded the state’s top pass rate for nine consecutive years.
Other education-focused grants included $6,034.99 for the Weaver High School FFA Show Team, $5,000 for Evelyn Moon Children’s Services’ Count Forward tutoring program, $10,000 for Sight Savers America’s school-based health and vision screening program and $1,196.23 for school-based STEAM and hands-on projects through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama.
Public safety funding included a $10,000 grant to the Ohatchee Police Department for a drone acquisition project. Police Chief Alan Kelly said the drone has already been used in several operations, including locating a 12-year-old runaway who became lost in a wooded area. Kelly said the department has also used the equipment for crash documentation and surveillance connected to law enforcement operations.
The East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission received $11,024 for technology supporting regional planning and economic development. Eric Wright said the project included training three FAA Part 107 drone operators and purchasing a drone and large-format printer. The equipment is being used for planning projects, grant applications and the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
The Calhoun County Commission received $5,000 for repairs at the Cane Creek Community Gardens. Commissioner Danny Shears said the funding was used to rebuild garden beds at the site, which provides gardening space for residents who may not have the space or ability to maintain gardens at home.
The Georgia Alabama Land Trust received $8,180.89 for improved access to the Weaver Cave Preserve. A Land Trust representative said the project brought power to the property and allowed installation of a remotely operated gate, making it possible to open the preserve more regularly. She said approximately 200 people had visited during two events since the gate was installed in June and that the property had been opened to the public every week since installation.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School also received $10,000 for an outdoor classroom remodel.
The celebration also included recognition of a partnership between the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils that provides scholarships for students in selected career pathways. Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Alan Smith recognized HVAC student Sawyer Cummins during the event and discussed the college’s focus on workforce training.
Local legislators and officials attending the event discussed the role state funding plays in supporting RC&D programs and the process used to select projects for grants.
Sen. Keith Kelley said members of the local legislative delegation work together on funding priorities and noted that numerous organizations and projects compete for limited state resources. Rep. Steve Hurst also spoke about the importance of organizations identifying community needs and demonstrating how funding will be used.
The program identified Kelley along with Reps. Barbara Boyd, Mark Gidley, Randy Wood, Steve Hurst and Chad Robertson as legislative partners for the Calhoun County grants.
