The Empowerment Initiative that was created to better serve impoverished rural and urban citizens has been a success in the SMART area (Scott/McCreary Area Revitalization Team). Much progress has been made in carrying out projects to improve both the economic conditions and the quality of life for SMART citizens.

Among the highlights are these:

• Jobs - The overall unemployment rate has decreased from 7.8% to 7.2%. McCreary County's unemployment rate dropped to an all time low of 4.4% in December 1999.
• Continued the support of local entrepreneurs through the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) in both Scott and McCreary Counties. Twenty-seven loans have been made in Scott County and five loans in McCreary County through the IRP.
• Continued improving health care. Partnerships consisting of Mountain People's Health Care, University of Tennessee, and the B.Ray Thompson Foundation funded a 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.
• Expansion of public infrastructure continues with the construction of an Industrial Park in Oneida.
• Education/Training opportunities have been enhanced by the development of the Career Center.
• Housing for the handicapped is being provided in group homes through Scott Appalachian Industries
• Scott County Schools secured $ 5 million in funding through the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds for school facility improvements.
• Wabash announced a $ 15 million expansion. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit was an incentive for the expansion.

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