Washington, DC  -  Congressman Mike Rogers said today the Talladega Mountains Natural Resource Center in Cleburne County should receive $800,000 to help construct the facility, an initiative which Rogers said could help draw increasing numbers of tourists to Cleburne County and the surrounding National Forests.

“I am thrilled Congress has included funding for this important economic development and tourism initiative,” Rogers said. “It’s been a top priority for me to help support this Cleburne County initiative and I am pleased to see the project will continue to move forward.”

Rogers said the House passed H.R. 3, the Conference Report to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), by a vote of 412-8. The $286 billion bill covers federal-aid highway and mass transit projects as well as safety initiatives, as well as funding for the center.

“As always, I would also like to thank Senators Shelby and Sessions for their ongoing assistance with this and other transportation projects in the Senate,” Rogers added. “I also want to thank House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Il.) and Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tx.) for helping make this funding a reality for the people of Alabama’s Third District.”

Rogers said the bill is in its final form and only needed passage by the Senate, which is expected, and then a signature by the president to make the legislation law. He said the final bill is $8.5 billion less than the amount proposed by the Senate, and subjected all projects in the bill to a 20% across-the-board cut. The measure would ensure states receive at least 92% of the money they contribute to the Highway Trust Fund by 2008.

Rogers noted the facility would be located near I-20 in Cleburne County, and would help attract tourists to the region. Future plans call for the facility to house extension classes for Jacksonville State University students.