The Alabama Department of Workforce's Abandoned Mine Land Program (ADOW-AML) has announced the availability of $11 million in federal funding through the 2025 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program. This initiative aims to support reclamation and redevelopment projects in Alabama communities affected by historic coal mining activities, particularly those conducted prior to 1977. The program is administered in collaboration with the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), ensuring that projects align with federal guidelines while addressing the specific needs of local communities.
The AMLER Program is designed to transform abandoned mine lands into economically productive areas. By eliminating environmental hazards and restoring landscapes, the program fosters public safety, environmental health, and job creation. Projects eligible for funding must demonstrate a clear and direct link between reclamation and economic or community development outcomes. Examples of eligible initiatives include converting mine sites into commercial or recreational facilities, supporting tourism, developing industrial infrastructure, and enhancing community aesthetics and safety through environmental restoration.
Eligibility is extended to local governments, economic development organizations, and nonprofit entities. Proposals must detail how the project will contribute to economic revitalization, including job creation or other measurable community benefits. All applications must adhere to the federal AMLER guidelines and provide a clear plan for site reclamation, end-use development, and long-term community impact.
The application window for the 2025 funding round opens immediately and will remain open through January 31, 2026. Applications are reviewed by the ADOW-AML Program, which may evaluate submissions based on factors such as environmental impact, economic feasibility, job creation potential, and alignment with community development goals.
Interested applicants can find additional information and submission guidelines on the Alabama Department of Workforce's AML Program website. For direct assistance, inquiries can be made via phone at (205) 945-8671 or email at amler@workforce.alabama.gov. The AMLER initiative continues to play a critical role in revitalizing Alabama’s coal-impacted counties by converting hazardous lands into community assets.
Funding for this program is provided through federal appropriations under the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, reflecting a collaborative effort to remediate environmental damage while promoting sustainable economic development in Alabama’s mining-impacted regions.
