CLINTON COUNTY

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    Clinton County 21st Century Learning Center

    The Clinton County EZ Community, Inc. is proposing several Empowerment Zone projects at a single site to create a youth learning/activity center. The plan includes combining the Empowerment Zone library, computer lab, amphitheater and youth center projects at one location to make the facility more attractive to local youths. In support of this project, Clinton County has been awarded a $643,000 Community Development Block Grant by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. An archeological survey of the site has been completed, a design firm selected and negotiations are proceeding with tenants and providers.

    Multi-County Recycling and Composting Facility

    Clinton and Wayne Counties have jointly begun the first phase of a proposed multi-county recycling project that will include $2 million of Empowerment Zone financing. A citizen project group conducted a national search and has recommended two consultant groups to complete a feasibility and operational study. The joint county Board of Directors concurred with project groups recommendations on May 14, 1996 and negotiated a contract on July 27, 1996 with a joint venture of Alternative Resources, Inc., Concord, MA and Quest Engineering, Lexington, KY.

    Phase I of the feasibility study was completed in November 1996. The initial study indicated that the project could be successful but that the waste stream for recycleables would need to be extended beyond the Clinton and Wayne County areas. The group unanimously voted to proceed with Phase II of the feasibility study which will focus on project development, costs, marketing and operation.

    Clinton County Hospital

    The Clinton County Hospital, Inc. received a loan from RECD for $2,100,000 from the Empowerment Zone setaside to expand and renovate the 42-bed acute care facility. Improvements include upgrading emergency room services, adding new patient rooms and renovation of the overall facility. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 19, 1996 with construction expected to be complete in Spring 1997. The Clinton County Hospital is contributing $500,000 of their own financing to the project.

    Clinton County Industrial Park

    Clinton County has allocated $1 million of EZ funds for development of an industrial park for the community. In support of this effort, an Industrial Authority and a Chamber of Commerce have been formed. The local board solicited proposals from landowners for sites with proposals received on August 30, 1996. Four proposals were submitted. Following an open review process, the committee selected a site along KY 90 in early September as the top rated site. The site was put under option while the Clinton County EZ Community, Inc. completed an appraisal and archeological review of the property. Acquisition of the property should be completed in February 1997.

    The committee also received proposals from nine engineering firms to assist with providing design services, with MSE Engineers, Lexington being selected.

    Cagle's, Inc. Project

    A major poultry producer, Cagle's, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, selected Clinton County for a processing plant in Spring 1995 that would employ more than 1,000 residents. Several public hearings were held on the project, one of which attracted more than 600 persons. While concerns were expressed about the size of the project and environmental issues, the huge majority of Clinton County residents expressed support for the project. However, in August 1995 the company announced they were postponing the project to concentrate on rebuilding a plant in Georgia damaged by fire. Local officials remained in contact with the company and on August 27, 1996, Cagle's, Inc. announced they would construct a $30 million processing facility in Clinton County that would employ 1,000 persons.

    The City of Albany will need to expand their water plant and ugrade service lines to accomdate Cagle's, Inc. Because federal funds will in part finance this construction, it has been determined that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be necessary. The initial scoping meeting was held in Albany on December 19, 1996 and the scoping report was issued on January 13, 1997. For a copy of the scoping report or input into the process, interested parties should contact Mr. Mark Plank, Senior Environmental Scientist, USDA-Rural Utilities Service at 202-720-1649. The EIS process is expected to last 8-12 months.

    Executive Director Ruben Leveridge Resigns

    The Executive Director of the Clinton County EZ Community, Inc., Mr. Ruben Leveridge resigned the position effective January 17, 1997. Mr. Leveridge assumed the position in February 1996 and resigned for personal reasons. His efforts were very valuable in advancing several EZ projects, including the industrial park, the emergency equipment purchases and water line extensions. No replacement has been announced.

    Clinton County Sheriff's Department "COPS" Grant

    The Clinton County Sheriff's office was awarded in January 1997 a $53,154 grant under the federal Community Officers Policing (COPS) program. The sheriff's office will add two additional patrolmen with with funds.

    Clinton County "Ounce of Prevention" Award

    The Clinton County Schools have been awarded $125,250 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the "Ounce of Prevention" program. The grant was one of only nine awards selected from the 76 applications submitted.

    The grant is designed to keep area youth in school and on track for graduation. With the funds, Clinton County Schools will establish the Youth Empowerment Services (YES), an umbrella organization for agencies, educators, business person and government officials. A partnership will be formed to reduce duplication of services and work more efficiently to provide opportunities to youth.

    Albany Elementary School Outdoor Classroom Grant

    In mid-August 1996, the Kentucky Natural Resources & Environmental Protection Cabinet awarded the Clinton County Board of Education a $4,000 grant. The funds, awarded through the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance program, will be used to build an outdoor classroom in conjunction with the elementary school renovation. The project was completed in Fall 1996

    Clinton County Regional Airport

    The airport board has selected a 500+ acre site for the airport but they are facing a dilemma. The EZ has allocated $465,000 toward the project which the airport board hopes to use to purchase the property. However, they have not yet secured a high enough priority from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to insure funding for the airport construction. Thus, the Clinton County EZ Community, Inc. Board is reluctant to release the funds for the property without assurances that FAA will provide the $7 million in construction funds. Local officials are working to move the project forward.

    Albany Downtown Revitalization Project

    The Downtown Revitalization Committee has been meeting every two weeks to formulate a program for the $500,000 allocated for this project. In early July 1996, the group submitted an application to the Kentucky Department of Local Government for a $10,000 planning grant under an Appalachian Regional Commission program. The funds would be used to develop a master plan for the downtown area. In addition, the Kentucky Main Street Resource Team visited Albany on August 26-28, 1996 to evaluate the downtown area and make recommendations. These recommendations were received on January 21, 1997 and are being evaluated. The committee is also preparing an application to participate in the Kentucky Main Street program.

    The Kentucky Heritage Council has also awarded the Clinton County EZ Community, Inc. a $7,500 grant to help restore the one-room Hopkins School at Mountain View Park. The building, donated by the Clinton County Schools, will be used as a local education museum. The local EZ board is providing $10,000 for this project.

    Clinton County Water Improvements

    A bid in the amount of $24,700 was accepted by the Clinton County EZ Community, Inc. to supply pipe to extend water lines into the Hegira and Green Grove communities while the City of Albany agreed to supply the labor for construction. A groundbreaking was held on July 31, 1996 with the project completed in early September. More than 25 families were provided service from this project.

    On June 27, 1996, the City of Albany also broke ground on a $1.4 million water improvement project that will provide potable water to more than 200 residents in the eastern portion of Clinton County. This project is being financed through the USDA-Rural Development from funds setaside for Empowerment Zone projects.

    Clinton County Fire and Ambulance Improvements

    Bids were received on July 26, 1996 to supply a new tanker truck for the City of Albany Fire Department and a new ambulance as part of the Empowerment Zone initiative. The Board authorized up to $50,000 for each of these items. The low bidder on the fire truck was Fitzgerald Trucks, Inc., an Empowerment Zone business, at $47,443. Clinton County also received a $20,000 grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services to help purchase the ambulance and equipment.

    The Fire and Ambulance Subcommittee voted in late December 1996 to purchase $270,376 in additional fire equipment to supplement the city's existing equipment. A study determined that the $400,000 available was not nearly sufficient to construct the proposed fire stations and that augmenting the existing equipment was a better use of the funds. The full Clinton County EZ Community, Inc. Board of Directors is to act on this recommendation.

    Clinton County Leadership Training Seminar

    On August 5-7, 1996, the Clinton County EZ Community, Inc., in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Kentucky Highlands Empowerment Zone offered the "Investment in Excellence for the 90's" leadership training seminar. The training, being done by The Pacific Institute, was free and open to the public. The second phase was held on October 29-30, 1996.

    Upcoming Events

    January 21, 1997......EZ Board of Directors Meeting, Albany, 6:00 p.m.
    January 28, 1997......EZ Board of Directors Meeting, Albany, 6:00 p.m.
    February 18, 1997.....EZ Board of Directors Meeting, Albany, 6:00 p.m.
    February 26, 1997.....Empowerment Zone Contracting: Wired for Success, London & Somerset, 8:30-12:30 p.m.
    March 1 & 8, 1997..Empowerment Zone Grantsmanship Training, Albany and London, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (EST)

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