Alabama offers $11 million for abandoned mine reclamation grants
Funding will help coal-impacted Alabama communities reclaim hazardous sites for new jobs, recreation, businesses and safer public spaces.
The Alabama Department of Workforce/Abandoned Mine Land Program has announced the availability of $11 million in federal grants through the 2026 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program. The funding will support reclamation projects that drive economic growth and community development in Alabama counties affected by historical coal mining activities.
The AMLER program, administered in partnership with the Federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, targets abandoned mine lands from coal mining operations conducted before 1977. By reclaiming these sites, the program aims to eliminate environmental hazards, improve public safety and create opportunities for economic revitalization in affected communities. Eligible counties include Bibb, Fayette, Jefferson, Marion, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker, along with other areas with documented abandoned mine land inventories.
“This $11 million investment underscores Alabama’s commitment to transforming abandoned mine lands into vibrant, productive spaces that benefit our communities,” said Greg Reed, secretary of the Alabama Department of Workforce. “These projects not only restore our environment but also create jobs and spur economic development in areas that have long borne the impacts of past mining activities.”
The 2026 AMLER funding will support projects that demonstrate a clear connection between reclamation and economic or community benefits, such as:
- Redevelopment of mine sites for commercial, recreational or industrial use.
- Creation of job opportunities through construction, tourism or new businesses.
- Restoration of natural landscapes to enhance community safety and environmental health.
Eligible applicants, including local governments, economic development organizations and nonprofit entities, are encouraged to submit project proposals to the department’s Abandoned Mine Land Program. Applications must outline how reclamation efforts will contribute to economic revitalization and comply with federal AMLER guidelines. The application deadline is February 1, 2027.
“Through the AMLER Program, we are turning liabilities into assets for Alabama’s coal-impacted counties,” Reed said. “We look forward to again partnering with communities to fund innovative projects that create lasting benefits.”
For more information on eligibility, application guidance and application forms, visit Alabama’s Abandoned Mine Land Program or contact the program office at 205-945-8671 or [email protected].
The AMLER program is funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, reflecting a collaborative effort to address the legacy of abandoned mine lands while fostering economic opportunity across Alabama.
