MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $500,000 grant to the Water and Gas Board of the City of Red Bay to rehabilitate an inactive well to meet the city’s water needs, including firefighting service.
The funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used to rehabilitate the Cooper Springs Well in southwestern Red Bay. City leaders said the current water supply system lacks the volume of water needed to extinguish fires in the industrial area in the western part of Red Bay. The Cooper Springs Well has been inactive for nearly 20 years, but city officials said tests performed in 2025 showed the well could provide the water volume needed.
“This project will help Red Bay meet the fire protection needs of industries in the area and will benefit residents and other businesses throughout the city as well,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased to support this project and commend city leaders for identifying this need, finding a solution and securing the funding.”
The three-year plan for the project includes several measures to prepare the Cooper Springs Well for its return to service, including adding pumps, panels, piping, a new generator, an aerator and filters, a chemical feed system and upgrades to a lift station.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC program in Alabama.
“Adequate water capacity for a community’s needs and firefighting service is a must for any municipality,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey and the Appalachian Regional Commission in support of this project.”
Gov. Ivey notified Red Bay Water and Gas Board Chairman Jason Vinson that the grant had been approved. The board will contribute an additional $1.8 million to the project.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Franklin County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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