WASHINGTON — Alabama’s military installations are set to receive around $169 million for construction projects, and another $29 million will go toward rural communities in the state, as part of the two full-year federal spending bills that became law last week.
Members of Alabama’s delegation helped secure the money for water and sewer projects, fire departments and military bases, in a package of bills attached to the deal that reopened the federal government Wednesday.
Congressionally directed spending, also known as earmarks, gives lawmakers an opportunity to provide funding for local projects in their district or state.
Alabama’s military installations will receive a total of $169.4 million for fiscal year 2026 from the military construction and veterans spending bill. The funds are for Anniston Army Depot, Fort Rucker, Maxwell Air Force Base and Redstone Arsenal. The projects include infrastructure investments and flight control towers.
“From supporting our family farmers and rural communities who play a critical role in our economy and national security, to strengthening Alabama’s military bases and the warfighters they serve, I’m proud to use my role as a Senator and an appropriator to deliver for our state,” Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said in a statement.
In total, the military construction legislation provides $19.7 billion for more than 280 projects at military bases around the world and $133.2 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Alabama’s rural communities will receive more than $29 million for projects, including medical equipment upgrades, workforce development initiatives and water and sewer system improvements.
As an appropriations cardinal, Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, secured more than $5 million for the construction of a health clinic in Fayette, the biggest earmarked project for the state in the agriculture spending bill.
“By improving health care access and expanding job training opportunities, we’re ensuring that our rural communities continue to thrive,” Aderholt said in a statement.
Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, who joined the House Appropriations Committee this year, secured more than $5 million for the construction of a groundwater treatment facility in Ardmore, the second most expensive earmarked project in the state.
“The Town of Ardmore has faced significant challenges with its aging wells, and this new groundwater treatment facility will provide a long-term, sustainable solution for families and businesses that rely on a clean, consistent water supply,” Strong said in a statement.
Britt also helped secure funding for research, education grants and scholarships for 1890 universities, of which Alabama is home to two. A provision in the agriculture spending bill also examines delays in issuing applications for the 1890 Scholars Program.
Congress still has nine full-year spending bills to consider, most of which are also expected to include earmarks for Alabama.
You can see all of the proposed projects that Alabama’s lawmakers requested funds for in the House and Senate appropriations bills, which total more than $360 million, here.