DAPHNE, Ala.—Close to 500 residents gathered Thursday for a “Spirit of Cooperation” town hall meeting to hear state officials and civic leaders discuss plans for Daphne, Fairhope and Spanish Fort to coordinate efforts to receive federal funding.

The meeting at the Daphne Civic Center brought together the Eastern Shore’s three mayors—Daphne’s Fred Small, Fairhope’s Tim Kant and Spanish Fort’s Joe Bonner—and state Reps. Randy Davis and Jo Bonner; Chuck Spurlock, state director for state Sen. Jeff Sessions; and Baldwin County Commission Chairman David Ed Bishop.

The three mayors signed a resolution to work cooperatively to raise federal funding for road improvements and environmental renewal efforts. The cities have joined a growing national trend of smaller municipalities working together to increase an area’s likelihood of garnering federal stimulus funds.

Bishop said the area has three projects under federal review and expects all three to receive the requested stimulus funding. These include: a Baldwin County flood elevation study at $1 million; Baldwin County bus improvements at $1.7 million, to build bus stops that connect the Baldwin Rural Area Transit System; and the Fort Morgan historic site at $150,000.

Bishop also explained the county’s schedule of road improvements: The extension of County Road 13, from Alabama Highway 104 to County Road 64, will be completed by June 2010; state Highway 83, or the Orange Beach Expressway, will extend to Interstate 10 by next year.

Bishop said he’s interested in creating an evacuation route along Alabama Highway 181 to Interstate 10, citing the 75,000 residents that inhabit the tri-city area.

Also, he said, the county recently signed a deal with Team Green—a group of Baldwin business and community leaders who partner with solid-waste management entities to reduce landfill waste levels and capture recyclables—and will develop a $7-10 million project at Magnolia Landfill to allow for a total recycling system, the first of its kind in the area, according to Bishop. Total recycling means recycling 100 percent of waste, re-using everything that normally would be discarded.

“We’re starting with these two priorities—environment and infrastructure—because they are related and affect us all,” Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce C.E.O. Darrelyn Bender said.

Spurlock explained the two methods for states to receive federal funding: The first is through federal appropriations, where the government designates funds for specific projects. The other is through grants, which are earmarked funds set aside for a specific purpose while different areas compete for the award money.

“By bonding together and applying for grants, areas are able to reduce administrative costs,” Spurlock said.

When asked how the county is dealing with storm water runoff issues, Bishop said the the problem can be fixed with money.

However, he said, “I’m not so sure if residents will want to pay an added tax to raise funding to correct environmental issues.”

Upon inquiry as to road resurfacing in Lake Forest, Small said the city’s five-year plan, which he said indexes all necessary road improvements, will address the area’s needs. He added that the city will be unable to put extra capital aside in next year’s budget for road repairs.

Organizers diverted all health-care reform inquires to a Friday town hall meeting in Robertsdale with Bonner.

Some residents in attendance seemed optimistic after the meeting.

“I’m glad I came tonight,” Marcy Ellis said. “It was a chance to see all of the representatives together.”

“It’s nice to know they have plans for all of the money we’re getting,” Elizabeth Daniel said.

However, not everyone left feeling informed and content.

“That was a waste of time,” Monica Roberts said. “They didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know.”

“I don’t think I needed to be here tonight,” John Morris said. “I didn’t know what to expect but I thought it’d be a little more than that.”