2000 Annual Executive Summary Report
Scott-McCreary Enterprise Community
The rural EZ/EC Initiative that was created to better serve the impoverished rural citizens has been a success in the Scott/McCreary Area Revitalization Team (SMART) area. Much progress has been made in carrying out the projects to improve the economic development and the quality of life in the area.
The major focus on addressing benchmarks:
1. Jobs - The overall unemployment rate has decreased from 7.2% to 5%.
2. Continued support of local entrepreneurs through the Intermediary Relending Program in both Scott and McCreary County. Thirty-one loans have been made in Scott County and seven loans in McCreary County through the IRP.
3. Continued improving health care. Partnerships consisting of Mountain People's Health Care, University of Tennessee, and the B.Ray Thompson Foundation funded a $1.6 million Telemedicine Program to serve the SMART residents. This linked the University of Tennessee Medical Center with the Mountain People's Health Clinic and the Scott County Health Center Dental Clinic. The establishment of the Appalachian Life Quality Initiative (ALQI) introduced a $500,000 Children's Center of the Cumberland Program, $300,000
Telemedicine Program, $50,000 STAND Program (drug program for youth). A new ambulance service has been established in south Scott County. A new clinic is being built in Elgin. The Scott County Health Services building has opened and is now in operation. A number of new physicians have been recruited to serve residents across the SMART area.
4. Expansion of public infrastructure continues with the expansion and improvement of industrial parks in Oneida, Helenwood, Winfield, and the Scott County Airport. The last of the planned waterlines to Campground and Rockhouse have been bid. Sewer lines expansions for areas include Wabash to
Helenwood, Helenwood to Cedar Hill Trailer Park, and Oneida to state line. Construction is underway for a $6 million 200 acre lake to service public utilities.
5. Education/Training opportunities have been enhanced by the development of the Career Advancement Center and the expansion of the Tennessee Valley Authority's CADNet Lab into the Oneida Special School District.
6. Scott County Government secured $5 million in funding through the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds for school facility improvements and renovation at Scott High is currently in progress.
7. Wabash invested $30 million toward expansion and leased a spec building in the Helenwood Industrial Park. Work Opportunity Tax Credit was an incentive under the Enterprise Community.
8. Housing the handicapped is being provided in group homes through Scott Appalachian Industries with an additional new home being opened at the end of February. Additional housing opportunities have been constructed in Winfield and Huntsville.
9. All agreements have been completed in the regards to the completion of the landfill that was a priority in the Strategic Plan.
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