CENTRE– Eight rural healthcare grants worth more than $7.1 million will support providers and projects serving District 10.

Altogether, the awards total $7,107,994.12. They cover Etowah, Cherokee and DeKalb counties.

State Sen. Andrew Jones also highlighted the awards Tuesday. Jones represents District 10, which includes Cherokee, Etowah and southern DeKalb counties.

In addition, the projects cover hospital security, patient transportation, nurse recruitment, telehealth, mental health care, imaging and specialty services.

“I am proud to see millions of these dollars coming right back to Etowah, Cherokee and DeKalb counties,” Jones said.

“Alabamians deserve access to quality health services that are close to home,” he added. “I will continue to be an advocate for rural healthcare.”

District 10 Healthcare Awards

Jones identified eight grants.

• Gadsden Regional Medical Center will receive $1.4 million for security, emergency communications and reliable operations during disruptions.
• Additionally, Gadsden Regional will receive $150,000 for a wheelchair-accessible van and a full-time driver.
• The hospital will also receive $550,000 to recruit 20 registered nurses who commit to five years of rural service.
• Meanwhile, Weiss Family Care will receive $1,062,643. The grant will expand its Leesburg clinic, telehealth capacity, equipment and local services.
• Atrium Health Floyd EMS will also receive $604,470 for a transport ambulance and a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
• In addition, Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center will receive $500,000 for a modern digital imaging system.
• Floyd Cherokee Medical Center LLC will receive $31,152 to expand virtual, school-based mental health therapy.
• Jones highlighted a $2,809,729.12 Huntsville Hospital Health System award. He linked the funding to DeKalb Regional Medical Center and wider specialty and diagnostic access.

The Huntsville Hospital award will create the North Alabama Rural Specialty Access Network. Specifically, it will serve DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties.

Because that award covers five counties, the full District 10 total includes funding with a wider regional reach.

Moreover, several statewide awards include District 10 counties in larger service areas. Those projects involve nursing education, workforce development, emergency medical training and school mental health care.

Part of Alabama’s First $144 Million Grant Round

Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday that Alabama awarded 138 grants worth more than $144 million. Overall, the projects reach rural areas in every Alabama county.

The grants fall under the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the program.

Moreover, Alabama’s plan includes 11 initiatives. For now, this round funds rural health, workforce, mental health, rural practices, electronic records, technology and cybersecurity.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provide all project funding. Alabama’s federal assistance award totals $203,404,326.54.

Meanwhile, Ivey said the program aims to create lasting changes and improve access to quality care across Alabama. Later, the state expects to announce awards for additional initiatives.

Federal Program and State Action

At the federal level, Congress created the five-year, $50 billion program through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. President Donald Trump signed the measure July 4, 2025.

Jones said Alabama lawmakers passed measures in 2026 to help providers pursue and use the federal funding. In April, Ivey signed the Alabama Rural Health Antitrust Immunity Act.

As a result, rural providers gained limited protection when they collaborate on staffing, services, facilities and equipment. The Legislature also approved appropriations for Alabama’s rural health program.

Jones said the investments can help residents receive more care closer to home while strengthening rural healthcare operations.