Aderholt said that he has secured more than $42 Million in funding for projects for the Fourth District as Republicans release their first funding bills

Over the weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations released the first batch of Fiscal Year 2024 funding bills to be voted on this week.

Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. He released the following statement on the projects he secured for the Fourth District in these funding bills.

"Members of Congress know the needs of their districts far more than a Washington bureaucrat," said Rep. Aderholt. "That's why I've always supported directed spending for local projects during the annual appropriations process. The 14 projects in the 4th District that I have secured funding for all have a direct impact on people's lives, on economic development, and on educational opportunities. This is the kind of work Members of Congress should do for their districts and for their constituents."

Below is a list of the projects Congressman Aderholt has secured funding for in the Appropriations bills. The House is scheduled to vote on bills that will contain these projects this week:

A. Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama, Etowah County, 4th Congressional District - $2.4 million. The recipient is the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama – Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama Fund at 1130 Quintard Avenue, Suite 100, Anniston, AL 36201

Project Explanation: The simulator at the center will function to engage students and teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and learning that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The simulator and center will utilize a NASA designed, space-themed curriculum that is also aligned with Alabama's math and science standards.

B. City of Red Bay Interchange Lighting at SR-24 (Corridor V), Red Bay, AL, Franklin County, 4th Congressional District - $1.12 million. The recipient is the City of Red Bay.

Project Explanation: Funding for highway high-mast lighting on Appalachian Regional Commission Highway Corridor V, also known as Alabama Highway 24. The lights will be placed at the many intersections and long stretches of highway on Corridor V within the city limits of Red Bay. Doing so will mitigate traffic accidents and create a safer route for motorists to enter and exit the city, leading to continued economic success.

C. Community STEM Facility in the City of Florence, Lauderdale County, AL, 4th Congressional District - $13 million. The recipient is the University of North Alabama.

Project Explanation: The funding would be used for construction and equipping of a new STEM Facility in Florence for the training and education of the area's workforce in high-demand, high-wage fields. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide the education and training programs needed in order to meet the ever-growing workforce needs and connect candidates to STEM-related jobs in the region.

D. Equipment for Advanced Technology Center in Hanceville, AL - $1.5 million. The recipient is the Wallace State Community College Future Foundation, Inc. at 801 Main Street NW, P.O. Box 568, Hanceville, AL 35077.

Project Explanation: The funding would be used for establishing and equipping the Advanced Technology Center for Electric and Autonomous Vehicles to expand the curriculum and training to provide specialized workforce instruction for electric and autonomous vehicles. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because as the number of EV/AV models in production continues to rise, along with the increase in EV owners across the state, the need to expand capacity and provide a skilled and trained workforce to maintain them becomes critical. Skilling the workforce to support EV/AVs insures those employed in traditional automotive manufacturing maintain their employment while preparing the pipeline for EV-expansion and related job growth. This investment will not only create more employment opportunities but will also pave the way for new investments with a qualified and skilled workforce to support.

D. Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Capital Improvements for Gadsden State Community College - $1,279,545.

Project Explanation: The funding would be used to aid in the construction of the new Advanced Manufacturing Center on the East Broad Campus in Gadsden. These capital improvements will be used to support the work-based learning Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will support a pipeline of immediate workers to industry and taxpayers, by training graduates that are highly sought after, have high wage careers that contribute to the area economy and fuel the economic growth in the region in fields such as automotive, food processing, automotive suppliers and building materials.

E. Florence-Lauderdale County Port Authority Dock Reconstruction Project - $3,573,034.

Project Explanation: In 2000, deterioration of the steel sheet piling on the port had occurred to the point that structural failure had begun. To remedy this, installation of a new structural retaining wall system using a combination of pipe pilings and sheet piling is needed.

F. Fort Payne Multiphase Transportation Project Feasibility Study - $1 million.

Project Explanation: A study of a multiphase project to address these interrelated transportation challenges in Fort Payne. Alternatives include creating an alternate Highway 35 route coming off of Lookout Mountain and eliminating truck traffic along the city's main street, Gault Avenue (Highway 11); eliminating the sharp turn at the dangerous grade change at the intersection of Highway 35 and 5th Street (known as Joe's Truck Stop); and creating a rail overpass that would allow traffic to reconnect to Highway 35 and Interstate 59 at the south end of town.

G. Haleyville Drainage and Parking Facility Project for the City of Haleyville, AL - $451,521.

Project Explanation: The city of Haleyville is seeking assistance in addressing a deficient asphalt parking caused by groundwater springs under the parking lot where the water is trapped and freezes causing the asphalt to crack. The asphalt and some of the bedding needs to be removed and french drains installed to remove the groundwater under the asphalt. Then, the bedding and asphalt needs to be replaced. The parking lot has a capacity for over 300 cars and is managed and owned by the city. The project will make repairs to two areas amounting to approximately 9,200 square feet.

H. Multi-Use Government Service Center in Samantha, AL - $450,000. The recipient is the Tuscaloosa County Commission.

Project Explanation: This funding will be used to renovate and expand the Sheriff's substation in Samantha to serve as a Multi-Service Government Center that supports the expansion of emergency services, county support to citizens, and community functions.

I. Russellville Library/Multipurpose Community Center, City of Russellville, AL - $3,892,000.

Project Explanation: The funding would be used to build a library/multipurpose community center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide this rural, economically disadvantaged community with access to a library, broadband internet access, and multipurpose community center space, which is consistent with the statutory purposes.

J. Sanitary Sewer Improvement in Cullman, AL - $ 4,250,000.00

Project Explanation: The funding would be used for reducing peak flow events at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and decreasing the duration of peak influent flows that result from infiltration to the collection system. Rehabilitation measures will involve both open-trench repairs and replacement along with trenchless technologies. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve public infrastructure and public services for the constituents of Alabama's 4th District, who have been facing sanitary sewer overflows due to severe rain events.

K. Singing River Trail Extension in Courtland, Town Creek, and Leighton, AL - $1.5 million. The recipient is Launch 2035 (DBA: Singing River Trail)

Project Explanation: This project would expand the "Try Towns" segment of the Singing River Trail, a planned 220+ mile greenway that will connect North Alabama municipalities and counties from Florence to Bridgeport. The "Try Towns" segment will connect three towns within Alabama's 4th District, Courtland, Town Creek, and Leighton. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide rural areas and small towns without accessible public greenspace or exercise facilities with a health and wellness outlet, better access to natural resources and outdoor education, community building, and economic development.

L. U.S. Highway 411 Reroute Planning, Design and Construction Project, City of Gadsden, AL - $6.5 million. The recipient is the City of Gadsden

Project Explanation: To complete planning, design, and construction for rerouting a portion of U.S. Highway 411 along Rainbow Drive spanning approximately 1 mile improving access to Downtown Gadsden and to add a complete street along the Coosa River.

M. Waterline Replacement in Hanceville, AL - $1,125,000. The recipient is the City of Hanceville Water and Sewer Board.

Project Explanation: The funding would be used for replacing the existing end-of-life water lines along Highway 31 and County Road 601. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because completing these upgrades will ensure safe and reliable water delivery to constituents who are currently being left without water while the water lines are in constant state of repair.

The Congress is hoping to keep the government funded in order to avoid a debilitating government shutdown this weekend; but time is running out to reach a deal between both Houses of Congress and the Biden Administration.

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