Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday more than $45 million for 23 projects in Coastal Alabama, including nearly $22.9 million going directly into Baldwin County.

The funding comes from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) and will support projects focused on environmental education, stormwater improvements, recreational access, habitat restoration and water quality upgrades.

Ivey made the announcement during the Southern States Energy Board Conference at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear.

“I am thrilled to announce the 2025 GOMESA projects,” said Ivey. “Working closely with Commissioner [Chris] Blankenship and his team at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we will share more than $45 million with cities, towns, counties and the University of South Alabama to fund these worthy projects that will provide great benefit to the citizens of Coastal Alabama. With this announcement, more than $260 million in GOMESA projects have been awarded during my administration.”

Among this year’s Baldwin County projects, Gulf State Park received the largest share with $5 million dedicated to improvements at the campground.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, GOMESA directs a share of revenues from offshore oil and gas activity in the Gulf back to the states most directly affected by that development. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas split a portion of those revenues to support local projects that protect natural resources, expand public access and improve coastal resilience.

“The GOMESA projects announced today will go a long way to continuing to improve the environment and quality of life in Coastal Alabama,” ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “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 environmental education enhancements, water quality improvements and public access expansion projects announced today will have a long-term positive impact. Coupled with the previous projects, GOMESA funding is making generational improvements in our coastal counties.”

Baldwin County projects total $22.9 million:
Silverhill Oscar Johnson Park Improvements – $1,500,000
Foley Nature Parks Expansion – $1,500,000

Magnolia Springs Restoration Project – $878,346
Loxley Youth Soccer Complex – $1,000,000
Baldwin County Perdido Bay Boardwalk and ADA Improvements – $2,530,000
Lillian Sustainable Stormwater and Parking Lot Improvements – $396,340
Baldwin County Solid Waste Disposal Authority Orange Beach Recycling Convenience Center – $1,500,224
Gulf Shores Waterway Village Pedestrian Park – $3,606,465
Renovation of the Daphne Recreation Center – $4,000,000
Bay Minette Nature Park Master Plan and Engineering Design – $1,000,000
Gulf State Park Campground – $5,000,000

With these investments, Baldwin County communities will see expanded recreational opportunities, restored natural areas and improved infrastructure designed to safeguard both the environment and quality of life.

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yaf8yf5n.