The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers a broad range of state and federal programs that contribute to our mission of Building Better Alabama Communities. Our programs are as diverse as the people of Alabama and impact every corner of the state. Each year we distribute hundreds of millions of dollars to Alabama cities, counties, non-profit organizations and others. Our grants support economic development projects, infrastructure improvements, job training, energy conservation, law enforcement, traffic safety, recreation development and assistance to low-income families. We also work to monitor and protect Alabama’s water resources, and we distribute state and federal surplus property to local governments and other qualified organizations. Our department was created by the Legislature in 1983 to streamline and professionalize the management of a number of federally-funded programs administered by the state. By consolidating numerous agencies into ADECA, administrative costs were reduced while ensuring that strict federal requirements for comprehensive monitoring, reporting and auditing were implemented.