Pentagon announces $230 million in improvement grants to support communities near military bases
by Mike Glenn · The Washington TimesThe Pentagon said Wednesday that more than two dozen communities near military installations will receive grants from a $230 million fund to support each base’s mission and address the quality-of-life concerns of service members and their families.
Anniston, Alabama, will receive almost $18.5 million to improve the primary runway at Anniston Regional Airport in support of the Anniston Army Depot. The grant will pay for nearly all of the $19 million construction budget.
Huntsville, Alabama, about 100 miles north of Anniston, is expected to receive $10.8 million to improve transportation access for Redstone Arsenal.
“As North Alabama’s national security contributions continue to grow, so does our need for infrastructure to support the people and places who carry out those missions,” said Rep. Dale Strong, Alabama Republican. “This $10.8 million federal grant for the Resolute Way Interchange project will improve access to Redstone Arsenal and ease congestion, ensuring North Alabama is prepared to support that growth.”
The 26 grants announced Wednesday come from the Pentagon’s Defense Community Infrastructure Program. The program began soliciting grant applications early last month from communities near military bases.
“This year’s program includes $100 million from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, helping to secure key investments to support our national security, as well as the readiness and lethality of our warfighters,” said Dale Marks, assistant defense secretary for energy, installations and environment. “The fiscal year 2026 awards deliver historic funding to the [grant program], driving critical infrastructure upgrades that directly strengthen military installations nationwide.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described military infrastructure — particularly living quarters and barracks — as a readiness and national security issue. He has said base conditions can directly impact troop morale, recruitment and retention.
The Muroc Joint Unified School District in California was awarded $10.9 million to construct a school in support of Edwards Air Force Base.
Advertisement Advertisement
The Hawaii State Department of Education will use its nearly $10 million to construct recreation and community-support infrastructure for Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
The city of Twentynine Palms, California, was awarded $8.5 million to improve access for the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.
Burlington, Iowa, was awarded a $6.7 million grant to construct a fire station in support of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.
Contact the author
Mike Glenn
Follow author updates Follow Click to follow. Manage followed authors