Special to the Enquirer  

In a joint announcement Nov. 14, Sen. Arthur Orr, Rep. Terri Collins, Rep. Scott Stadthagen, Rep. Parker Moore and Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, along with the Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, revealed a significant grant initiative aimed at bolstering local organizations in the Morgan County area.  

The announcement was held at Austinville Elementary School in Decatur.  

Approximately $76,000 in grant funding will be distributed to various Morgan County organizations, a collaborative effort between AMRV RC&D and the Morgan County Legislative Delegation. 

The grant allocations are as follows:  

•  First Priority of Greater Decatur: $14,400 for the Fill The Build initiative 
• Morgan County Rescue Squad Inc: $5,400 for dive equipment and $5,000 for rescue equipment. 
• West Morgan High School: $10,000 for drainage solution and $7,069 for turf irrigation equipment 
• Hartselle High School: $6,500 for HOSA training beds 
• Austinville Elementary School: $5,500.00 for AVES Outdoor Classroom Renovation 
• Paws 52 Rescue: $10,000 for the PAWZ IT Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program for Morgan County 
• Alabama 4H Foundation: $6,496.23 for 4H Livestock Judging Team Travel 
• Native Habitat Project: $6,042 for Hartselle Sandstone Barren. 

AMRV RC&D, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on supporting educational and community development projects in North Central Alabama, covering Cullman, Morgan, Madison, Limestone, Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb counties. This initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering growth and positive change within the region.