October 3, 2025

What is known as “grant season” around the TARCOG office, has ended with our staff submitting 11 grants for more than $2.7 million in funds to support nearly $6 million in projects throughout the region.

Economic Development & Planning Director Lee Terry said the end of “grant season” doesn’t mean additional grant applications won’t be submitted. It just means the busiest time of year for grant applications and deadlines has passed.

“I’m so proud of the hard work our staff has accomplished in meeting these deadlines for projects that are important for every county in our region,” Lee said.

From a school expansion in Scottsboro, easier access for breathtaking mountain views and sunsets in Mentone, to new roads in Paint Rock, sewer systems in Valley Head and Skyline, and a new baseball field in Boaz, Lee said each of the funding requests has the potential to improve the overall quality of life in the TARCOG region.

 The first deadlines of the season were for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Submitted by July 23 included:

• Jackson County: Road improvements to three major roads in the Town of Paint Rock; Alred, Knowlton, and Williamson streets. The project is expected to result in addressing several safety and structural issues for these roads increasing quality of life for residents. Total CDBG funds requested, and total project cost — $400,000
• Madison County: Proposed project would result in the critical rehabilitation of the Stone Shed that currently serves the Town of Triana as the only restroom facility for the town park. The project is expected to result in improvements in structure, safety, and accessibility so park patrons can continue to use this beloved community amenity. Total CDBG funds requested was $400,000 with a total project cost of $460,000
• Marshall County: Improvements are needed at the Cherokee Baseball Fields located in the City of Boaz. The park is a widely used facility by many residents in the city; especially by those low to moderate income individuals who live within a one-mile radius from the park. The project is expected to enhance the quality of the fields while also addressing safety and accessibility concerns. Total CDBG funds requested was $400,000 with a total project cost of $883,514.25
• DeKalb County: The Town of Pine Ridge needs a formal zoning ordinance to capitalize on the recent growth DeKalb County is experiencing. The ordinances will ensure the town is able to manage growth in its community in a way that reflects the values and desires of its residents. Total CDBG funds requested, and total project cost — $40,000
• DeKalb County: The Town of Valley Head wants to conduct a feasibility study for the sewer system in the community. This study will assess growth and improvement opportunities for the current system. Total CDBG funds requested, and total project cost — $40,000
• Jackson County: The Town of Skyline wants to conduct a feasibility study for the sewer system in the community. The town wants to build new school facilities that would require a sewer expansion in order to meet capacity requirements. The study will assess growth and improvement opportunities for the town. Total CDBG funds requested, and total project cost — $40,000

By September 10, two Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants were submitted including:

• DeKalb County: Improvements to the walking trail at Sylvania Town Park. The existing gravel trail would be paved to increase ease of access to all users. This project is expected to increase visitors to the park and allow more users of all ability levels to be able to utilize this recreational facility. Total RTP funds requested was $80,000 with a total project cost of $100,000
• DeKalb County: The Town of Mentone has applied for the construction of a walking trail and overlook at Brow Park. This park is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike looking for a nice place to have lunch or to take in a beautiful sunset. This new walking trail and overlook will add to the amenities of the park and improve the experience of visitors. Total RTP funds requested was $160,000 with a total project cost of $200,000

By September 25, two applications for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Area Development grants were submitted including:

• DeKalb County: Construction of a pavilion in the Valley Head Town Park. Construction of the pavilion will support economic development opportunities for the town as well as having a place for town gatherings and events. Total ARC funds requested was $165,000 with a total project cost of $330,000
• Jackson County: The Scottsboro City Schools system is seeking to build a new wing on their tech school to expand its Fuji Automatic Numerical Control (FANUC) lab. By building this new facility the school system will be able to train students on advanced manufacturing robots that are used throughout the manufacturing industry. This program will directly impact the local manufacturing sector and provide a jobs pipeline for students and employers in the local area. Total ARC funds requested was $500,000 with a total project cost of $2,455,886.62. TARCOG is continuing to pursue further grant funding to close the funding gap for this grant.

And by September 9, one Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant application was submitted for:  

• Jackson County: Construction of a new baseball field and a relocated, expanded parking lot for the Town of Section. The town needs a third baseball field for its growing youth baseball league. The addition of a new field to the park will allow more games to be scheduled and new teams added to the league to allow participation by more players than the league can currently accommodate. Total LWCF funds requested was $500,000 with a total project cost of $1,000,000.

$400,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds have been requested to rehabilitate the Stone Shed that currently serves the Town of Triana as the only restroom facility its town park. The total project cost is $460,000. The grant application was one in 11 submitted by TARCOG staff in recent months.

September 22, 2025

In the small Town of Ider in DeKalb County, a newly funded sewer line expansion project will create and save 114 jobs.

In a town of 735 people, it’s a big deal.

TARCOG’s Economic Development & Planning Director Lee Terry said he and his staff helped the town apply for two recently awarded grants totaling $450,000 to help pay for the expansion. The town will provide $45,000 in matching funds to pay for the project.

The grants include:

• $225,000 awarded by the Community Development Block Grant program with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
• $225,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) through its Area Development Grant

“We just got the contracts signed. Next, the engineering work begins.” Lee said. “We don’t have an exact construction start date yet, but this is a very important project, and we expect construction to begin as soon as possible.”  

Lee said the project involves extending the sewer line to service two businesses on Highway 75 including Steel Plus, a fabricated steel processing company, and Howard’s Restaurant a locally owned, full-service family and buffet style restaurant.

Both businesses have been facing capacity issues and impending failures of their septic systems, Lee said. For Steel Plus, the capacity issues with the septic system were limiting the company’s growth potential. Once the project is complete, Steel Plus will be able to increase shift hours allowing for the creation of 80 new jobs in the community. 

Now that Howard’s won’t be forced to close, it can retain its 34 employees — a popular local eatery will remain open.

Lee said it also means Ider — and the surrounding area will see steady economic growth as a result.

Steel-Plus’s weekly payroll varies, depending upon its current projects/overtime needs; and currently averages injecting $60,000-$65,000 per week into the local economy.

Once the project is completed, within the first year, the proposed 80 new jobs should generate an additional estimated $50,000 per week into the local economy.

The restaurant injects a monthly payroll of about $12,000 into the community. In addition, it pays taxes on over $1.5 million in annual sales and spends an estimated $95,000 on supplies purchased in the area.

“I am proud of the hard work that our economic development team put into these two grants,” Lee said. “Projects that have this kind of potential impact is the reason the ARC was founded and continues to be a vital resource for the Appalachian Region.”

Top left is Howard’s Restaurant. Middle photo shows the proximity along Highway 75 between the eatery and Steel Plus, pictured bottom right. Both businesses will be impacted by the new sewer line expansion which will save and create more job opportunities in the small town.

August 12, 2025

TARCOG is being recognized nationally for efforts to make it safer to travel throughout northeast Alabama with a new Regional Safety Action Plan for area roads.

The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) notified TARCOG this week it will be honored with a 2025 Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award at the organization’s training conference later this year.

The safety plan developed by TARCOG and Alta Planning + Design consultants, is for the non-urbanized areas in Jackson, DeKalb, and Marshall counties, as well as the areas of Limestone and Madison counties outside of the Huntsville Urbanized Area. The project was funding by Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program. As a result of the plan, municipalities in the area became eligible for implementation funding to address safety improvements identified in the plan.

“We are proud of the national recognition for this project,” said TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Jordan. “More important to us is that the new Regional Safety Action Plan is a guide for our local officials throughout the region to help make informed decisions about making our roadways safer for travelers. Improving the quality of life for the people and communities of Northeast Alabama is at the heart of our mission.

Presented annually, the NADO Impact Awards honor regional development organizations and their partners for strengthening communities, building regional resilience, and enhancing local economies through innovative approaches to economic and community development. This year’s cohort included 90 impactful projects led by 79 organizations across 24 states. TARCOG is one of three projects recognized in Alabama.

“The Impact Awards are an annual reminder of the creativity and commitment that regional development organizations bring to their communities,” said 2024-2025 NADO President Rick Hunsaker, executive director of the Region XII Council of Governments in Iowa. “This year’s awardees show how local and regional partnerships, driven by vision and collaboration, can lead to lasting positive change across our country.”

The impact awards are presented in honor of Wohlbruck, NADO’s first executive director, who was a lifelong advocate for regional solutions and rural economic development. All selected projects are featured in an interactive StoryMap that showcases summaries, images, and key partners. The map is available at www.nado.org/2025impactawards/.

A pedestrian walks toward the U.S. Post Office in Scottsboro at the intersection of Willow and Market streets. This is an example of one area that the new Regional Safety Action Plan focused on during the research aspect of the project.

TARCOG Economic Development & Planning Staff from left is Lee Terry, director, Jennifer Dummer, grant administrator, Leslie Wright, economic development coordinator, on computer screen is Del Schafer, project manager, Marley Hicks, senior planner, Phoenix Robinson, principal planner, and James King, associate planner and geospatial technician.

July 14, 2025

Jassen and Kerry Garner understand the business world through their careers in the insurance industry. They are entrepreneurs at heart and are working to bring a new state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator center to Huntsville in August with the help of TARCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).

“Our simulators are going to provide a realistic and immersive golfing experience,” Jassen said. “Whether you’re looking to practice, play a full round, or improve your skills, our simulators are designed to accommodate golfers of all levels.”

The new Golf Lab is located in the Whitesburg Center shopping plaza at 5000 Whitesburg Drive at the Airport Road intersection. The entrance is nestled in the middle corner of the building.

Kerry said the center will provide all necessary equipment, including golf clubs, balls, and tees. But people are welcome to bring their own clubs.

A golf pro shop will also be available for those who need club repairs or customization.

Who should use the Golf Lab?

“Our simulators are designed to accommodate golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players,” Jassen said. “We also offer lessons and practice sessions tailored to individual needs. Whether you’re looking to improve your swing or learn the basics, we can help you achieve your goals.”

He said the golf simulators use advanced technology to provide a highly realistic experience. They accurately simulate real-world golfing conditions, including ball flight, course terrain, and weather. There’s also a wide selection of famous golf courses from around the world to choose from in the center.

“You can experience playing on renowned courses without leaving the area,” Jassen added.

About the RLF

Lee Terry, TARCOG’s director of Economic Development and Planning, said helping small and startup business is exactly why the RLF exists. He said the Garners’ loan was recently approved so they could start the new golf center. He said TARCOG partners with Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., (NCI) to administer its RLF through the North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund, LLC.

Collectively, the Loan Fund and TARCOG are providing the start-up capital needed for the new golf simulator center, said Mary Ellen Judah, NCI’s executive director.

Up to $600,000 in funding is potentially available to any applicant of the NCI and TARCOG RLF  loan funds.  

The vision for the Golf Lab space is already expanding. In addition to the multiple large screens and simulator area, Jassen and Kerry want the center to be a place where participants feel free to hang out and relax as well.

“We’re also looking at adding racing simulators as another component,” he said.

Kerry said anyone interested in advance bookings, memberships, special events or for more information should check out the Golf Lab website or call 256-255-2540,

Jassen and Kerry Garner are opening the Golf Lab in the Whitesburg Center shopping plaza, located at the Airport Road intersection. Pictured here in June right after they got the keys and started transforming the space into what will become a state-of-the-art golf simulator – set to open in August.

June 24, 2025

TARCOG appreciates Alabama House of Representatives Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter for highlighting a Fort Payne project that will impact six vacant warehouses over two blocks and three acres along Gault Avenue.

The site is the focus of an environmental evaluation to prepare the section of Gault Avenue for redevelopment.

Ledbetter, who was guest speaker at TARCOG’s June Board Meeting and Picnic, highlighted the $1.5 million grant on Tuesday, June 24, that includes the DeKalb County project, as well as projects in Limestone and Madison counties.

The $1.5 million Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Assessment Grant will be the starting point for the transformation of the selected sites. In the past, the connected warehouses on Gault Avenue in Fort Payne held cotton or machining operations. For years, they have remained vacant and because of potential environmental contamination, the site hasn’t been attractive to developers.

TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Gillaim Jordan said the whole purpose of this type of brownfield grant is to take unproductive properties due to real or perceived contamination and make them usable again. This process is the first step toward making these sites attractive to developers again.

Other projects covered by the grant includes a site for the Singing River Trail in the Town of Gurley and another one in the City of Athens. The grant includes the three cities as coalition partners in this funding opportunity with TARCOG, who helped secure the funding for these important projects.

The $1.5 million will cover 32 – Phase One Environmental Assessments analyzing the sites through visual inspections and historical inspections to determine if any possible contamination issues that warrant further investigation.

There will be 25 – Phase Two Environmental Assessments to further investigate with more in-depth sampling and testing of contaminants to determine extent of contamination.

As a result of these assessments, it is anticipated there will be 15 Site Cleanup Plans. Additionally, community meetings will be held to get input from residents about their visions for the sites before three Community Revitalization Plans are developed that include the visions for plans for each community.

In Fort Payne, it is the Gault Avenue Corridor project. In Gurley, it will be the Walker Street Corridor, and in Athens, the Easy Street Corridor.

A TARCOG board meeting and annual picnic were held at 11 a.m. Each year, TARCOG rotates its June board meetings between its region counties of DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall. Staff is also invited to this board meeting, which provides an opportunity for board members and staff to connect.

We appreciate all of the elected officials from DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties who turned out for the meeting.

From left, TARCOG’s Economic Development and Planning Director Lee Terry, Pinchin Environmental and Engineering Consultant John Hargraves, TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan, Alabama House of Representatives Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine, Fort Payne City Council President Pro Team Lynn Brewer and Fort Payne City Council President, Walter Watson.

June 18, 2025

The Town of Sylvania now has in place a new Zoning Ordinance designed to help guide future development of the municipality.

“We want our town to grow,” said Mayor Terry McClendon. “We’re looking to attract anything and everything that’s revenue based.”

He called the new Zoning Ordinance developed with TARCOG a tool to help attract new businesses, especially along Alabama Highway 75.

“All the other towns around us have done it and are benefitting and we made history by doing this,” McClendon said. “It’s a good thing for our future generations.”

TARCOG worked with Mayor McClendon and other town leaders and residents for a year holding meetings and discussions to determine what type or ordinance the town needed and wanted to help spur commercial development along its section of Alabama Highway 75.

At its Tuesday, June 17, town council meeting, TARCOG Planning and Economic Development Director Lee Terry presented the final copy of the new ordinance which was unanimously adopted by the mayor and Council Members Matthew Gant, Claude Callaham, Denny Smith, Gary Ferguson and Larry Bailey.

Terry said multiple meetings were held with the town’s planning commission as well as several public input sessions and consultations with the town council to create the ordinance.

June 3, 2025

If you’re looking for a nice spot to have a picnic, walk your dog, or to just sit and enjoy nature for a bit, then you may want to add the developing Bridgeport River Park to your list of places to visit. You can access it by road or river.

There is a boat dock, pavilions with individual picnic tables, uncovered picnic tables, and swings to sit in and take in the quiet and picturesque view of the Tennessee River.

On Tuesday, June 3, TARCOG staff stopped by on the way to a meeting with Bridgeport City Councilman Barry Hughes, who is the driving force behind the park and planned campground on County Road 271.

TARCOG wanted to learn more about the park and campground to see if there are ways the agency can assist with its development. Executive Director Michelle Jordan, Economic Development and Planning Director Lee Terry, Economic Development Coordinator Leslie Wright and Communications Coordinator Wendy Reeves met with Hughes to learn more about the project.

Five picnic table pavilions and small bridge were recently completed and the beginnings of marking off the campground area has started on this project that will add to the quality of life in the area but also make a significant impact on economic development for the city of 2,264 residents.

From left, Economic Development Coordinator Leslie Wright Executive Director Michelle Jordan, Economic Development and Planning Director Lee Terry and Bridgeport City Councilman Barry Hughes look over plans for the Bridgeport River Park and Campground site.

May 14, 2025

TARCOG recently completed and adopted a Regional Safety Action Plan for the non-urbanized areas of Northeast Alabama utilizing Safe Streets for All (SS4A) funding. The areas covered in this plan include all of DeKalb, Jackson, and Marshall counties, as well as the areas of Limestone and Madison counties outside of the Huntsville Urbanized Area. Because of this, all municipalities and counties in this area are now eligible to apply SS4A implementation grant funding to address safety improvements identified in the plan. Grant applications for this round of funding are due by June 26^th of this year.

The final Regional Safety Action Plan document can be found here.

As with any grant, TARCOG offers technical assistance free of charge for any municipality or county within the TARCOG region for any grant application. If you wish to apply for this funding, please review the links below for more information about the projects eligible for funding and what all is required in order to apply. The TARCOG team is also available to help answer any questions you may have.

Alta Planning + Design is the consultant team who was selected by TARCOG to develop the Regional Safety Action Plan for the region. They are also available for consultation about applying for this funding and, as the team who wrote the document, are knowledgeable about the types of funding offered and all of the specific projects identified in the plan. If you are interested in speaking to the Alta team for assistance, please contact Sara Kovachich by email at sarakovachich@altago.com or by calling (954) 305-9376.

More information about the SS4A program and funding opportunities can be found at the links below:

SS4A NOFO

SS4A Implementation Grants

TARCOG is here to help, just call 256-830-0818 for the Economic & Development Planning staff.

May 6, 2025

The Town of Paint Rock, Ala., is seeking proposals from engineering firms to provide general engineering, design, bid, award, construction observation/inspection and related services for public facility/infrastructure projects to serve CDBG grant application and resultant funded projects for a period commencing upon selection date.

A Request for Qualifications package is available upon request from the Town at the address provided below, or by contacting Joanne Joiner, mayor, at joannej1929@gmail.com. Questions related to this request should also be directed to the same email address.

Responses must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. central, May 13, 2025. Please submit responses to the Town of Paint Rock via hand delivery or mail delivery P.O. Box 143 Paint Rock AL 35764. No electronic submittals will be accepted.