• Unemployment rate:  15.6%  (Average of the five census tracts)

• Median Household Income:  $12,383  (Based on 1989 income reported in the April 1990 Decennial Census)

• Per Capita Income:  $6,905  (Based on 1990 US Census Data)

• Education:  Breathitt County has the state's highest school dropout rate of 11.14%.  Only 23% of persons 18 and older are high school graduates

Community Overview:

Breathitt County lies in the midst of the beautiful mountains of eastern Kentucky.  The University of Kentucky's Robinson Forest is partially located in Breathitt County.  This forest hosts UK's Department of Forestry.

Isolated in the mountains this area has suffered with a serious lack of available jobs locally, high poverty levels, low educational levels, and a large dependence on social programs for income and other personal needs.

Strategic Plan Highlights:  

With the implementation of its strategic plan, the Breathitt County Action Team seeks to achieve a balance in economic and community development.

• Business Development/Job Training--(1) Diversification of local economy; (2) Increase workforce skills and education levels.

• Education--(1) Increase technology skills of county residents; (2) Continue and expand adult education programs; (3) Reduce the school drop out rate by 50%; (4) Provide more job shadowing and mentoring programs; (5) Increase the number of Arts and Humanities programs in the schools, especially after school; (6) Increase number of high performing graduates in distinguished and proficient levels.

• Capacity Building--Improve the quality and increase the quantity and access of educational opportunities and workforce training for residents of all ages.

• Public Infrastructure--(1) Develop plan to provide waterlines to 80% of Breathitt County residents; (2) Develop a plan to expand Hwy. 15 to a four lane road from the Mountain Parkway in Campton to Route 80 near Hazard. Work to include Hwy.15 in the State's six year plan.

• Housing--Provide adequate housing for professional, early retirees/widows, young adults, low-income, and persons needing assisted living.

• Community/Youth/Family Resources--Improve the number of quality child care slots in the county by 30%.

• Health Care--Increase number of residents receiving services, especially genetic research, clinical trials and genetic counseling.

• Tourism and Culture--Community and local officials should work together to build an arts center/convention center to serve the county and surrounding area.

Partnerships

The Champion Community in Breathitt County is lead by the Breathitt County Action Team in partnerships with the Fiscal Court, City of Jackson, Chamber of Commerce, local Veterans and groups supporting persons with disabilities.  Breathitt County partnered with Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe counties to apply for the Renewal Community designation and did receive this designation.  They also partner with other state, federal, and local agencies, etc.

Leveraging

Funding from USDA Rural Development, Community Development Block Grants, Renaissance Kentucky, State Coal Severance, Historic Tax Credit, Appalachian Regional Commission, and other Foundations are some of the funding sources and resources being used by the Breathitt County Action Team to help implement the strategic plan.

Community Involvement:

The Breathitt County Action Team conducted a community needs survey in 2001 and over 1,000 surveys were completed.  The county and city school districts are working together on a common project and the city and county government have being working together to develop this plan.  The Breathitt County Action Team meets monthly and they encourage everyone to attend the meetings by use of media, verbal invitation, etc.

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