Beach cities pass on grants - al.com

Beach cities pass on grants - al.com: "GULF SHORES — Last month, despite years of planning and a pledge from the federal government to pitch in more than $2.8 million, city officials decided to scuttle plans for a new fire station and a community storm shelter near Jack Edwards Airport.

Last week in Orange Beach, municipal officials decided to give the state $750,000 in federal money the city had gotten to buy waterfront property.

As both of Baldwin County's beach cities navigate their worst financial situations in recent memory, they're doing something that until very recently seemed unfathomable: turning down rich federal awards because of requirements to put up municipal money or add costs for new city programs."