Welcome to the District Development Program!   This is a wonderful opportunity for you to improve the arts, parks, and recreational opportunities available to your community.  The District Development Program is a joint program sponsored by the Tuscaloosa County Commission and administered by the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority (PARA).  This information is designed to provide a general overview of the program.

1. Your Community or Community-based Program selects projects complying with our guidelines, and then applies to the respective District Advisory Committee for acceptance.  Part of this process involves the preparation of a budget that clearly shows the contributions of the community and the amount of the funding support expected from the County Commission.
2. The District Advisory Committee reviews the application from the community and recommends to accept or to reject the project based on its adherence with the program guidelines.
3. The PARA Facilities Committee and Board of Directors are the next steps in the approval process.  Once these two ratify the project, PARA acts as a facilitator.  PARA is responsible for presenting the project to the County Commission for approval of the matching funds and for the administration of the project.
4. The Tuscaloosa County Commission approves the project and releases funds.

District Development Regulations

1. Any project considered for funding must be on publicly controlled land and available to the public for use following its implementation
2. The project shall be a permanent structure that aids in developing and/or improving the arts, park and/or recreational opportunities in the District.
3. Each community or community based organization will provide, at its own expense and cost, and keep in force general liability insurance with a good and solvent insurance company or companies licensed to do business in the State of Alabama.  This insurance will be in the amount of $500,000 to cover injury or death to a person, or persons, and to cover replacement cost for damage to property and/or facility, including the project work funded by the District Development.
4. The applicant must not discriminate on the basis of color, race, gender, national origin or handicap in implementing their project or programs/services.
5. The District Development Program will provide up to a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the project.
6. The District Development Program runs from October 1 through August 1 of the following year.  All money must be spent and project work completed by this date.