Published: April 23, 2008 10:29 am            

ARC grants county $20,000 to develop economic plan

$4,000 in matching funds will be raised

SOMERSET — A diverse contingency represented McCreary County Friday at The Center for Rural Development as Congressman Hal Rogers announced a $20,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) mini-grant for the development of an economic development plan.

“Whatever the challenge — large or small — great accomplishments come when committed citizens get together and rally around a common banner,” Rogers said. “Community leaders launching strategic plans are taking the first, big step today towards improving the quality of life for our entire region.”

A prior plan was completed through an effort spearheaded by the McCreary County Chamber of Commerce in 2003 but renewed public interest has precipitated the need for an update.

Nearly a dozen community organizations, including health-care groups, tourism and government officials were listed as project supporters in the grant application. The Lake Cumberland Area Development District, McCreary County Industrial Development Authority and McCreary County Sheriff’s Department also submitted letters of support for the project. Strand Associates assisted with the pre-paration of the grant application.

The project will be funded through the Developing and Implementing Community Strategies program administered by The Center for federally distressed counties in southeastern Kentucky. It joins projects in Bell, Whitley and Martin counties as the first to be funded.

“We are very excited to receive this grant that will help us to obtain a realistic countywide strategic plan that will point out our obstacles but will also give us the direction to correct those problems…a unified plan that will give us a defined direction and a clear purpose to move McCreary County forward in today’s global economy,” McCreary County Office of Economic Development director Tim Duncan stated. “We are very grateful to Congressman Rogers, to ARC, and to the Center for Rural Development for their support of this project, the projects in the past, and those that are to come in the future.”

The county is expected to provide a 20 percent match — or $4,000 — for the total project cost of $24,000. Duncan noted that the project should be completed within a six-month period. His office expects to receive the grant agreement this week, which will provide guidance on how to proceed.

Duncan, who had just returned from a Kentucky Association of Economic Development conference, told The Record that he is excited to be a part of the community at this time. Community commitment to change has also caught the attention of state officials, based on his discussions with Governor Steve Beshear.

Duncan said the governor is committed to creating jobs and improving quality of life in McCreary County.

“There are so many good possibilities in the county,” Duncan said. “I’m focused and dedicated to making sure that the grant is a success. The industrial board’s support has been a blessing. It’s good to work with them and for them. Failure is not an option.”

The deadline for the next funding cycle is August 29. For more information, contact Pat Bradley or Richard Hunley at The Center, 606-677-6000.

        

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