The Madison County Commission awarded $2.25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to three Huntsville non-profits at its meeting on Wednesday.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Education Foundation and Huntsville Botanical Garden will receive $1 million each. The Burritt Museum Association will receive $250,000.

In an earlier interview with the Lede, District 6 County Commissioner Violet Edwards said the county still had about $29 million in ARPA funds to distribute.

The U.S. Space abd Rocket Center – the area’s largest tourist attraction – qualifies for funding under the Aid to Impacted Industries category of approved use of APRA Funds. In its application for funding, Space & Rocket Center CEO and Executive Director Kimberly Robinson stated the center lost nearly 80% of its revenue during the pandemic.

“The money will be expended to replace lost revenues associated with the Covid pandemic and to complete the mission of providing visitors with a comprehensive educational institution of U.S. manned space flight and educating the next generation of space explorers,” County Attorney Jeff Rich said.