The City of Daphne received the largest distribution of this year's GoMESA funding in the program that shares revenues from offshores oil and gas leaks in the Gulf of Mexico between four Gulf states.

Because of the program, Daphne residents and visitors will imminently be able to enjoy enhancements to Bayfront Park, including an outdoor amphitheater facility, public parking and restrooms.

"The City of Daphne wishes to thank Gov. (Kay) Ivey and Commissioner Chris Blankenship (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) for supporting our vision and the future of Daphne's waterfront," Mayor Robin LeJeune said in a post on the city's Facebook page.

LeJeune was joined by Daphne City Councilman Joel Coleman, Executive Director of City Development Troy Strunk, City Clerk Candace Antinarella, Director of Events and Marketing Ange Baggett, Events and Marketing Coordinator Kara Wilbourn and Intern Augie Barnette in Mobile for the governor's announcement on Friday, July, 14, at the GulfQuest Maritime Museum.

The Daphne project is one of 27 being funded this year in Baldwin and Mobile counties worth $67 million. Projects supported by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 focus on sewer infrastructure, water quality improvements, research, land acquisitions and recreational access improvements.

With the announcement, 78 GoMESA projects, worth more than $180 million, have been awarded during Ivey's administration.

Other projects along the Eastern Shore include renourishment at Fairhope's Magnolia Beach, restoration at Fairhope's Fly Creek Stream, an expansion to Bartram Canoe Trails and improvements to the Spanish Fort Causeway.

Full list of 2023 State of Alabama funded GoMESA projects:

• Dauphin Island Beach Renourishment Engineering, Design and Permitting: $1,250,000
• Lewis Landing Public Access Mobile County: $1,500,000
• Chocolatta Bay Boat Ramp Replacement Mobile Causeway: $650,000
• Cedar Point Boat Ramp Mobile County: $4,300,000
• Foley Nature Parks Expansion: $5,000,000
• The Launch at CR6 Boat Ramp Baldwin County: $4,820,000
• Viewpoint Boat Ramp Improvement Weeks Bay: $1,678,800
• Daphne Bayfront Park Amphitheater and Park Improvements: $7,200,000
• Chickasaw Stormwater Management Improvements Phase I: $2,474,500
• Daphne Utilities Hwy 90 Force Main Stabilization: $187,500
• Robertsdale Centennial Park Amphitheater: $2,000,000
• Fairhope Magnolia Beach Renourishment: $620,000
• Fairhope Fly Creek Stream Restoration Project: $2,740,000
• Mobile County Water, Sewer, and Fire Septic to Sewer Project: $1,327,500
• Chickasaw Brooks Park Public Access Phase II: $485,000
• Dauphin Island Water and Sewer Rehabilitation Project: $3,246,455
• Port of Mobile Coastal Resiliency Study: $200,000
• Bartram and Perdido Canoe Trails Expansion: $1,906,000
• USA Healthy Oceans Initiative Phase II: $1,229,154
• City of Mobile Hall's Mill Creek Public Access Project: $2,500,000
• Perdido Watershed Land Acquisition Fund: $7,000,000
• Spanish Fort Causeway Improvements: $3,000,000
• GoMESA 2023 Administration: $397,988
• West Fowl River and Heron Bay Land Acquisition (4,740 acres): $5,214,000
• Beach Club West Acquisition: $4,000,000
• Mt. Vernon Boating Access Improvements: $2,000,000
• GoMESA Administration 2022: $278,686

Total: $67,205,633

*Italicized amounts are GoMESA funded projects located in Baldwin County.