Enriching the quality of life topped the agenda for Shelby County commissioners on Monday.

The commission instituted a new Quality of Life Enrichment Grant Program which will benefit the county’s public libraries, museums, historical societies and nonprofit community organizations which provide educational programs and services to the public.

The grants can be used for the construction, expansion and renovation of physical structures or on engineering and architectural plans or documents.

Those receiving the grants can also use the funds to purchase electronic materials or services to create educational opportunities, to purchase equipment to increase resources or to purchase items or collections of materials.

Those receiving the grants are offered two options: match and leverage.

The match option has an applicant matching fund requirement.

The leverage option gives applicants the opportunity to leverage additional grant funds from either a federal, state or non-governmental entity.

Total grant award available for 2003 is $100,000, with a $10,000 maximum.

Application deadline for 2003 is Feb. 27, 2003, with the decision period in March.

According to Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock, the plan for the enrichment grants is that they will be granted in two cycles after this fiscal year.

A grant orientation has been set for Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the county commission meeting room at the County Administration Building in Columbiana.

In addition, grant information will soon be available at the county’s website, shelbycountyalabama.com. For information, call the county’s Department of Development Services at 620-6650