ARC Awards Matching Grant to Mentone for Renovations at Historic Moon Lake Campus

Major improvements will soon begin on the historic Moon Lake campus, thanks to a matching grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

The ARC announced last month it had approved a $300,000 grant for the Town of Mentone. It will be matched by $300,000 from the Town.

Mayor Rob Hammond says the Town has been pursuing this grant for two years, working through the Top of Alabama Regional Commission on Governments to prepare and submit the grant. “The money will be used for important infrastructure improvements across the campus,” says Hammond, “including electricity, plumbing, subflooring, attic structure, HVAC, and bathroom accessibility.”

Work must be completed by the end of 2027.

Last fall, Hammond visited the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in Montgomery to discuss the project. ADECA is the state agency that coordinates ARC grants in Alabama. Following that meeting, ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, along with key members of his staff, visited Mentone to tour the Moon Lake campus.

“Converting a former school into the Moon Lake Village, a collection of shops and art studios, has been a major undertaking by the town of Mentone as I have personally seen, but it will be one that will pay dividends,” Director Boswell says. “ADECA is pleased to be a partner along with Governor Ivey and the Appalachian Regional Commission in this renovation project that will enhance the community’s charm and boost tourism for the area.”

The county board of education deeded the campus to the Town of Mentone in 2021 when it ceased classes there at the close of the school year. The Town has steadily made improvements to the property, creating spaces for artists, retailers, galleries, and offices. Northeast Alabama Community College holds classes there, and a new restaurant opened last month in the former lunchroom.

“It was important to Mentone to preserve this historic structure that was central to our community for so many decades,” says Hammond. “But it was equally important to make it accessible to the public as a hub of community activity. It’s great to see so many people visit the campus now to shop, enjoy a meal, take classes, and participate in events like the Mentone Fall Festival and the recent Groundhog Day Community Celebration.”

In announcing the funding, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) said, “Moon Lake Village has been an integral part of Mentone’s history, and this investment ensures that it will continue to serve the community for generations to come. I am proud to support projects like this that preserve our heritage while also driving economic growth.”

The ARC is a federal-state partnership dedicated to promoting economic development in the Appalachian region. Through targeted investments, ARC helps communities address infrastructure needs, workforce development, and business expansion.