The Alabama Department of Workforce’s Abandoned Mine Land Program, ADOW-AML, announced Tuesday the availability of $11 million in federal grant funding for the 2025 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization, AMLER, Program. This funding will support reclamation projects that drive economic growth and community development in Alabama counties impacted by historical coal mining activities, the Department shared.
The AMLER Program, administered in partnership with the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, OSMRE, targets abandoned mine lands from coal mining operations conducted prior to 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, Walker and 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 shown the impacts of past mining activities.”
The 2025 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 by the Department to submit project proposals to the ADOW-AML Program. Applications must outline how reclamation efforts will contribute to economic revitalization and comply with federal AMLER guidelines. The deadline for submitting applications is close of business Jan. 31, 2026.
“Through the AMLER Program, we are turning liabilities into assets for Alabama’s coal-impacted counties,” said Jennifer Holton, deputy secretary of Workforce and Acting Director of Mining and Reclamation. “We look forward to partnering with communities to fund innovative projects that create lasting benefits.”
For more information on eligibility and application requirements, visit the Alabama Department of Workforce’s AML Program website at Alabama’s Abandoned Mine Land Program or contact the AML Program office at (205) 945-8671 or via email at [email protected].
The AMLER Program is funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.
