Community shelters in the Bethsadia and Logan communities are one step closer to reality following grant awards at the most recent meeting of the Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC).

The five-member body, appointed by the local legislative delegation to hand out grant money apportioned from alcohol and TVA in-lieu-of taxes, awarded the volunteer fire departments at both Bethsadia and Logan $12,000 apiece Tuesday as a matching grant to help fund placement of the new shelters.

Other fire departments, including Cullman and West Point Volunteer, also received $12,000 awards for the purchase of chest compression rescue equipment.

Tuesday’s meeting marks the start of a new board membership cycle, including the first CCCDC meeting guided by incoming chair Champ Crocker. The meeting also marked the first board appearance by longtime Cullman County Economic Development Director Cherrie Haney, whom newly-elected Alabama Sen. Garlan Gudger appointed to the post.

Other grants awarded at Tuesday’s CCCDC meeting include:

• $12,000 to Parkside School for 48 Google Chromebooks.

• $12,000 to Childhaven for non-personnel education expenses.

• $12,000 to the Cullman EMS/Cullman Regional Foundation for cardiac monitors and defibrillators.

• $7,500 to the Town of Baileyton for walking trail lighting at the municipal park.