Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday, Aug. 20, more than $52 million in GoMESA funding for more than 20 projects across Coastal Alabama.

The projects include environmental education and outreach, boating access, water quality improvements, recreational access and other initiatives aligned with the original intent and authorized uses of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GoMESA) of 2006.

“Alabama’s coast is one of our state’s greatest treasures, and we have a responsibility to protect it while ensuring Alabamians and our visitors can enjoy all it has to offer,” Gov. Ivey said in a release from her office. “These investments will strengthen our coastal communities, improve access to our waterways and preserve the natural resources that support jobs, tourism and our way of life. I am especially proud that, working alongside Commissioner Blankenship and his team at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we have now awarded more than $310 million in GoMESA projects during my Administration – investments that will benefit Coastal Alabama for generations to come.”

GoMESA provides funding to the four Gulf-producing states and eligible coastal political subdivisions, allowing them to share 37.5% of qualified revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases issued since Dec. 20, 2006.

With approval from the governor’s office, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources administers the funds. Mobile and Baldwin counties receive separate GoMESA disbursements directly from the federal government.

“The GoMESA projects announced today continue a long list of important environmental and quality of life improvements in Coastal Alabama,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR commissioner. “I am grateful for Governor Ivey’s leadership and her support for our coastal restoration projects throughout her Administration. I’m also thankful for our staff at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our project partners as we’ve worked to enhance environmental education, improve water quality and expand access to outdoor recreation along our coast for generations to come.”

The funding includes several projects in Baldwin County, including $2 million for the Town of Magnolia Springs Town Center, $900,000 for Kids Park improvements in Bay Minette, $2.5 million for the City of Fairhope’s Flying Creek Nature Preserve, Phase 3, $1.6 million for public park improvements in Elberta and $1.5 million for the City of Orange Beach Shooting Complex Clubhouse. Many other Baldwin County communities also received funding through the 2026 GoMESA allocations.

The Town of Magnolia Springs celebrated the funding in a Facebook post Aug. 20, saying the investment will help move its Town Center project forward.

“This incredible investment will help move our Town Center project forward, creating space for municipal operations and community gathering for years to come,” the town said in the post. “We are so thankful to Governor Kay Ivey, Commissioner Chris Blankenship, Senator Chris Elliott, and the entire Baldwin County Legislative Delegation for their support!”

In Bay Minette, the $900,000 GoMESA-funded Kids Park project will include a new restroom facility, upgraded walkways, modern playground equipment, an outdoor classroom space and additional lighting.

The project also includes enhancements intended to highlight the park’s natural beauty while creating a safer, more accessible and welcoming environment for children and families of all ages and abilities.

Bay Minette Mayor Joshua Brown said the park has long been an important gathering place for local families.

“Kids Park has been an important place for families in Bay Minette for many years, and it holds a special place in the hearts of so many residents. This grant is a meaningful investment in a space where future generations will continue to play, learn and make lasting memories,” Brown said in a release from the city. “We are incredibly grateful for Governor Ivey’s support and the continued partnership through GOMESA. These improvements will create a safer, more accessible, and more inviting space for residents of all ages, and we are excited to see this project move forward for the benefit of our entire community.”

The announcement came one week after the Aug. 12 Gulf lease sale conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior Marine Minerals Administration. Lease sales are part of the offshore oil and gas development process and provide an economic driver for high-wage jobs, low-cost energy and revenue-sharing programs that support Alabama’s coastal communities.

The Aug. 12 sale generated nearly $83 million for 59 blocks of federal waters in the Gulf. It was the third sale required under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The 2026 GoMESA-funded projects announced by the state include:

City of Mobile: Brookley by the Bay: Southern Activation Zone, Phase 1b — $9 million
Alabama Port Authority: Upper Mobile Bay Wetlands Creation Construction Project — $5 million
Mobile County Commission: Byrnewood Boat Ramp and Public Access — $5 million

City of Daphne: Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier Construction at Bayfront Park — $5 million
University of South Alabama: Outdoor Classroom for Habitat Conservation and Stormwater Management — $3 million
ADCNR: Boggy Point Boat Launch Renovations — $2.95 million
City of Fairhope: Flying Creek Nature Preserve, Phase 3 — $2.5 million
ADCNR: Weeks Bay Reserve Public Access Improvements, Phase 2 — $2.5 million
City of Saraland: Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch Improvements, Phase 1 — $2.5 million
Town of Dauphin Island: East End Exploration and Visitor Center at Dauphin Island Campground — $2.2 million
Alabama Department of Environmental Management: Collection of Ambient Water Quality Data in Coastal Alabama Watersheds to Support the Protection and Restoration of Alabama’s Coastal Water Resources — $2 million
Town of Magnolia Springs: Town Center — $2 million
City of Semmes: Amphitheater and Nature Park — $1.6 million
Town of Elberta: Public Park Improvements — $1.6 million
City of Orange Beach: Shooting Complex Clubhouse — $1.5 million
City of Bay Minette: Kids Park Improvements — $900,000
Riviera Utilities: Coastal Wastewater Resiliency Improvement Project — $800,000
Perdido Bay Water, Sewer and Fire Protection District: Elberta Youth Sportsplex and Hurricane Protection Project — $660,000
Town of Perdido Beach: Comprehensive Drainage Improvements for Hurricane/Coastal Storm Protection — $400,000
City of Chickasaw: Brooks Park Boat Launch — $400,000
City of Bayou La Batre: Rolston Pier Extension Project — $310,000
GoMESA Administration: $519,529