Governor Kay Ivey was in Mobile on Tuesday as part of her Back-to-School Tour. She stopped at St. Mary’s Catholic School and spoke to students in grades K through eight.
Ivey also spoke with local leaders while in Mobile and made an announcement about (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds being awarded. GOMESA gives out $30 million for 25 different coastal projects.
“One of the main themes for this year’s projects is Environmental and Nature Education and Outreach,” Ivey said. “Teaching future generations about the importance of protecting Alabama the Beautiful and all her natural habitats, wildlife and fish is critical.”
“Several of these projects will make improvements at museums, education facilities, aquariums and along the waterfront – all to educate Alabamians and our visitors from far and wide,” she added.
The project receiving the most money is the Mobile Riverfront Park Enhancements – Phase II, which will receive over $3 million.
“The GoMESA projects announced today will go a long way to continuing to improve the environment and quality of life in Coastal Alabama,” said Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources commissioner Chris Blankenship. “I appreciate the work of the staff at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our project partners as they work to leverage GoMESA funded projects with the good work happening with Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill projects and other funding sources.”
“The nature-based education, water quality improvements and public access expansion projects announced today will have a long-term positive impact,” he said.
Another project being funded is the revitalization of the Orange Beach City Schools’ Sea, Sand and Stars Environmental Learning Center. The project will receive $979,684.
“Today was a tremendous day for Orange Beach City Schools as we invest in the future of our coastal community,” said Orange Beach superintendent Randy Wilkes. “The revitalization of the Sea, Sand, and Stars is a great use of GoMESA funding and will help us protect and educate our precious natural resources while inspiring the next generation.”
Nine new exhibits will be created, and existing features, such as the 5,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, will be renovated. The planetarium and boardwalk will also be renovated.
Students and visitors can enjoy the learning center.
Next week, Ivey will visit J.E. Hobbs Elementary and ABC Elementary in her home county of Wilcox.
Other projects awarded GOMESA funding as follows:
City of Creola Park, Conservation and Education Project $1,000,000
Exploreum Traveling Exhibit Gallery Refurbishment $829,012
Dauphin Island Programmatic Dredge Permit $300,000
Loxley Municipal Park Wetlands Acquisition Project $650,000
Fairhope Flying Creek Nature Preserve Phase II $1,328,400
Summerdale Miracle League Ballfields$1,538,000
Dauphin Island Middle Beach Access Improvements$1,500,000
Orange Beach Schools Sea, Sand, and Stars Education Project $979,864
Meaher State Park Headquarters Camp Store Project $1,100,000
Mobile County Cedar Point Boat Ramp Phase II $2,753,440
Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network $182,461
Town of Perdido Beach Comprehensive Drainage Improvements $307,670
National Maritime Museum Improvements (Mobile) $2,250,000
Saraland Water and Sewer System Upgrades $1,523,700
Blakeley Park Waterfront Access Improvement Project $1,970,500
Mobile Riverfront Park Enhancements – Phase II $3,023,667
Dauphin Island Sewer Collection System Improvements 2024 $2,965,981
Daphne Sewer Lift Station Permanent Bypass Pumps – Priority 1 $499,500
Daphne Sewer Lift Station Permanent Bypass Pumps – Priority 2 $445,500
Mobile County/TNC Coden Bayou Land Acquisition Project $753,575
City of Prichard Sweeney Lane Bridge $650,000
Honor Park – A City of Spanish Fort Project $3,000,000
Alabama Aquarium Improvements (DISL) $200,000
USA Lower Alabama Beach Education Facility$250,000
GoMESA Administration $398,641
To connect with the author of this story or to comment email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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