The Alabama Department of Workforce’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program announced Tuesday the awarding of a $11 million grant through the federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program for fiscal year 2024.
This funding will support the reclamation of hazardous abandoned mine land features and facilitate the economic redevelopment of the site into the Alabama Farm Center at Hallmark Farms in Warrior, Jefferson County.
The AMLER grant, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement targets communities impacted by legacy coal mining activities.
Alabama was one of six Appalachian states selected to receive $11 million in FY 2024 funding to address high-priority AML sites while promoting job creation and community revitalization.
“The Hallmark Farms project exemplifies this mission, transforming a former coal mining-associated property into a state-of-the-art agricultural exhibition center that will boost education, tourism, and economic growth across the region,” the AML Program wrote in a statement.
Located on approximately 500 acres along Interstate 65, the historic Hallmark Farms site—originally developed by coal mining entrepreneur Ted Hallmark in 1976—contains legacy mine features that pose environmental and safety risks. The grant will enable the AML Program to eliminate dangerous coke ovens, mine portals, subsidence areas and polluted waterways, restoring the land for safe public use.
Once reclaimed, the site will host the Alabama Farm Center, featuring facilities for livestock shows, rodeos, educational programs and an annual state fair, with an estimated $2.2 billion in direct economic impact over 20 years and the creation of up to 850 jobs.
“This AMLER grant represents a significant investment in Alabama’s future, turning blighted lands from our mining past into vibrant hubs of opportunity,” said Greg Reed, secretary of the Alabama Department of Workforce. “By partnering with the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation and local stakeholders, we’re not only addressing environmental hazards but also fostering agricultural innovation and community development at the Alabama Farm Center.”
The project aligns with broader state efforts to revitalize north Jefferson County, following the site’s $13.5 million purchase by the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation in March 2025. Reclamation work is expected to begin in late 2025, with full development of the Farm Center phased over the coming years.
The grants will fund AML reclamation activities, such as hazard mitigation and site preparation, alongside project construction to ensure sustainable redevelopment. ADOW said it encourages collaboration with local governments, economic development organizations and nonprofits to maximize the program’s impact.
