Wednesday, the Limestone County Commission will show their appreciation to Congressman Parker Griffith and the legislative delegation for helping secure funding for key projects through Resource, Conservation & Development grants.

District 3 Commissioner Bill Latimer said the commission will hold a reception for Griffith or his representative and all the legislative delegation at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

“We have been funded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s budget for small community projects at a minimum of $2,000 per project,” said Latimer. “We have to provide mostly in-kind services.”

The grants come through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, he said.

Latimer said some of the projects that have been funded are ballparks at both Tanner and Clements.

“Parks and Recreation Director Mike Nave also got a grant for the Cowford Campgrounds sewer,” said Latimer. “It also funds the annual Limestone County Water Festival. [District 2 Commissioner] Gerald [Barksdale] also got a grant for an erosion project.

“Our delegation went to bat for us to get funded in the Agriculture budget. Now, we are a permanent part of the budget and we are showing appreciation for the projects we have completed,” he said.

Latimer said that he would also deliver the annual report for the Alabama Mountains, Rivers and Valleys Commission, of which he is a member, and discuss plans for 2010.

“The city of Hartselle gave us the old Waterworks Building and we got money to make offices and educational demonstrations for water and sewage systems,” said Latimer. “We have a septic system constructed that is a wetlands area. That is already set up. We also use the old water tanks for different projects, such as one with fish that eat mosquitoes.”