WARRIOR — Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed announced today that the agency has awarded a $2.5 million 2025 AMLER grant to a Jefferson County business to increase economic development and to provide for reclamation of several extremely dangerous abandoned mine land features left over from past coal mining activities on the site.
The Alabama Farm Center will use the funds to turn 520 acres of historically mined land into a premier statewide agricultural exhibition, education, and economic development hub. Located at Hallmark Farm in Warrior, Alabama, the massive project will repurpose a mining-impacted landscape into a vibrant regional asset.
The project is backed by a Public-Private Partnership anchored by the Alabama Exhibition Center Corporation (AECC). Funding commitments already include $50 million from the State of Alabama, $16 million from Jefferson County, over $20 million from private donors via the Alabama Farmers Federation, and $11 million via a previous Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) award.
“By maximizing impact from the long-standing relationships that exist between business and government, we are able to provide major improvements in Jefferson County, along with creating and sustaining major economic impact,” said Reed. “This is precisely the type of collaboration that is needed in order to spur economic development in some of Alabama’s most critical areas.”
“We appreciate Secretary Reed and the Department of Workforce’s support as we create a new future for Hallmark Farm,” said AECC Chairman Jimmy Parnell. “This area has long been an economic engine for north Jefferson County and beyond. The rich, natural resources that fueled Alabama’s steel industry now provide a site, rich in natural beauty, where the Alabama Farm Center will be a driver for education, youth development and tourism. We are grateful for the opportunity to reclaim this historic land for Alabama’s students, families and visitors.”
A Major Economic Catalyst for Alabama
The Alabama Farm Center is positioned to become a massive tourist and financial driver for the state, translating a historical liability into a sustainable asset. Over the next 20 years, the project is projected to deliver:
- $2.2 billion in direct economic impact.
- 850 total jobs (300 direct and 550 indirect).
- 620,000+ annual visitors attending 91 planned events over 211 event days.
- Increased local demand driving 24,000 hotel room nights and activating 50,000 square feet of nearby retail and dining space.
By resolving critical mining hazards and leveraging over $153 million in total Phase 1 investment, the Alabama Farm Center serves as a premier model for how blighted spaces can be reclaimed to fuel long-term community and economic growth.
Environmental Reclamation Meets Economic Growth
Before vertical construction can begin, the site requires extensive environmental remediation to address historic mining hazards. The current AMLER grant request focuses strictly on Phase 1 foundational work, ensuring the land is safe and stable for public use.
- Mining Reclamation: Work includes stabilizing a historic beehive-style coke oven complex, managing historic mine adits and a vertical shaft, and executing large-scale mass grading to correct disrupted hydrology and shallow pits.
- Site Preparation: Comprehensive mass grading will be completed as a single package to maximize cost efficiency and pave the way for future infrastructure.
- Separately Funded Development: Utilities, roadways, parking, and the construction of the centerpiece “Big Red Barn” will be financed entirely through separate public and private funds, ensuring AMLER dollars are used strictly for reclamation.
For more information on the AMLER Program and future funding opportunities, visit the Alabama Department of Workforce Abandoned Mine Lands Program website at workforce.alabama.gov or the OSMRE site at osmre.gov
The Alabama Department of Workforce’s Abandoned Mine Land Program is responsible for reclaiming lands affected by pre-1977 coal mining activities, eliminating hazards such as mine fires, subsidence, and water pollution. Funded through federal grants like AMLER, the program has restored thousands of acres, enhanced public safety and enabling economic redevelopment across the state.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Workforce
