Calhoun County, AL – Senator Keith Kelley, together with representatives from Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), recently celebrated the success of community-focused projects funded by RC&D grants in Calhoun and Talladega counties. These projects aim to improve public safety, education, recreation, and healthcare, highlighting a commitment to building stronger local communities. Key initiatives include the Piedmont Police Department’s bike patrol program, Calhoun County Schools’ EXCEL Academy, the Camp McClellan Horse Trails, and the Patient Care Academy in Sylacauga.
1. Piedmont Police Department – Enhanced Bike Patrol Program
The Piedmont Police Department received a $6,000 grant to expand its bike patrol program with additional bicycles and an electric scooter, enabling officers to engage more effectively at community events and enhance public safety in high-traffic areas. This program has improved both community safety and collaboration with surrounding agencies.
Chief Nathan Johnson highlighted the program’s impact, sharing, “Being able to receive the grant that has allowed us to add several bikes and an e-scooter to our department… It served us well, we’ve helped with the 5Ks, let’s see, the bike club with NEABA, we’ve gotten really involved with them through the bike patrol, we’ve gotten involved with the Anniston’s runners club with the bike patrol, and of course with our agencies, local surrounding agencies too. So we’re always helping in some form or fashion. Like the crab run that we did, we led the 5K on bikes. And then it allowed us to circle back and go back through the crowd and check on people as they were running, make sure they didn’t fall out or anything like that. This allows our officers to, you know, have a bike patrol. And see, I’m big on community policing. And there is no closer you can be with your community than a bike patrol. Also, having a bike patrol here has allowed us to have good relationships with neighboring agencies such as Jack State and Oxford. Our officers go and assist them with their events, parades. They come here and help us with our events, our parades, all working as a bike patrol unit.”
Piedmont City Clerk Carl Hinton added, “The bikes and the presence of an officer on the trail when they’re riding and big events going on… I guess they feel the average person feels protected. Seeing Nathan and his crew out there with a uniform on and riding on the trail, yeah, just a sense of security. I think Piedmont has done such a great job with the dogging trail and really it’s an asset to the whole community and I absolutely, you know, I love it.”
Mayor Bill Baker echoed these sentiments, underscoring the positive impact of the bike patrol program in building community trust and enhancing event safety.
2. EXCEL Academy – Supporting Mental Health and Development
Calhoun County Schools’ EXCEL Academy received a $10,000 grant aimed at expanding counseling services, training for teachers, and developing outdoor spaces to support students’ mental health and well-being.
Calhoun County Superintendent Tony Willis expressed gratitude for the grant, saying, “All these things make a world of difference to our students, but they’re not possible without some additional funding.”
Tobi Burt, President of the Calhoun County Board of Education, shared, “As President of the Calhoun County Board of Education, it has been a true honor to witness the growth of Calhoun County Schools and our ability to reach children of all needs and backgrounds. Our commitment to championing the success of every student remains at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to seeing all the great things we’ll accomplish together in the years ahead. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Senator Kelley for his generosity and dedication in providing this $10,000 grant. This support is a tremendous investment in our students, and we are truly thankful to have leaders who believe in their potential.”
Nathan Gilbert, the mental health coordinator for Calhoun County was at the EXCEL Academy event and shared “I’m thrilled we were able to get them the garden and especially to help with the kids with a calming room for those that need some special needs adjusting, The serenity garden and the common room will help those kids with some disabilities to be able to have a good productive place that they feel safe and learn.”
3. Camp McClellan Horse Trails – Enhancing Equestrian Facilities for Public Enjoyment
The Camp McClellan Horse Trails project received a $13,603.05 grant to install new horse corrals, improving accessibility and visitor experiences, particularly for special needs children and recreational guests.
Senator Kelley stated at the Horse Trails eveent “What would you like to say about the benefits of the horse trails to Calhoun County? Well, I think the Horse Trails and their mission, what they’re doing, brings tourism to our area and provides an outlet for so many people to come and enjoy the great outdoors with their horses. And I greatly appreciate what they do for special needs children, providing them with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride a horse and go through a trail, and learn about the outdoors, and everything we can do to try to assist them in that on the educational side especially. I think the whole community gets better.”
Commissioner Howell was at the McClellan Horsetrails event “We’re just glad to be part of this because, you know, McClellan has grown tremendously in four years. In fact, more so than I’ve ever known. What I wasn’t to know was when Jennifer Green from JSU did that economic impact study, and I seen those astronomical numbers, what, $7.7 or $9.8 million. So, this place has only begun. I mean, it really has. We’ve got some hard-working volunteers out here. Hard-working volunteers. So we’re glad to be part of that, for sure. “
Commissioner Patterson stated “This RC&D grant is an example of cooperation between the Backcountry Horsemen Association and the commission. We have a wonderful partnership. We appreciate their efforts. And I’m paraphrasing, you didn’t polish this up, let me hear it, you know. the main gist of my thought process is this is just another example of the cooperation between the two entities because talking about the Commission and the Backcountry Horsemen’s Association and continually finding ways to further the development and the betterment of Calhoun County and the McClellan Horse trails. What a gift to Calhoun County citizens and the surrounding area this Horse Trails has become”
Commissioner Shears was at the Horse Trails event and unveild his new slogan “Our parks and trails will bring you here to play, but it’s our people that will make you want to stay. Calhoun County, Alabama” he then added We’re going to come up with some t-shirts. They have a lot of volunteers out here. And they serve a lot of hours. I want to spend some money out of my commission account and buy them a shirt.
4. Patient Care Academy in Sylacauga – Training Future Healthcare Professionals
Sylacauga’s Patient Care Academy prepares students for careers in healthcare, meeting a critical regional need for skilled professionals. Representative Mark Gidley, who attended the event, noted, “It is just an honor for me to have a small part of being able to help bring back to our communities the resources that can make our community grow.”
Continued Commitment to Community-Driven Initiatives
Ciara Turner, Executive Director of Coosa Valley RC&D, expressed pride in these community-driven projects and praised the dedication of local leaders and volunteers. “Seeing these projects come to life and meeting with the dedicated individuals behind them is inspiring. Their efforts underscore the power of community-focused initiatives.”
Senator Kelley concluded, “It’s inspiring to see firsthand the impact of these projects and the dedication of everyone involved. These efforts significantly enhance the quality of life in our area, and I look forward to supporting more projects like these.”
Through continued partnerships and strategic funding, Calhoun and Talladega counties are enhancing quality of life, community engagement, and pride, building a stronger future for residents.
