BREATHITT, LEE, OWSLEY, AND WOLFE COUNTIES
RENEWAL COMMUNITIES APPLICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 
1. Notice of Intent to Apply 
2. Identification of Nominated Area 
3. Certification to Economic Condition Requirements 
4. Course of Action 
•Signed Cooperative Commitment 
•Goals and Actions 
•Recognition of Past Efforts 
•Timeline 
•Performance Measures and Evaluation 
5. Local Crime Index Certification 
6. Certification of Economic Growth Promotional Requirements 
7. Public Notice Certification 
8. Attachments: 
•Attachment 1: Kentucky Title IV-A State TANF Plan 
•Attachment 2: Jefferson Hotel Skills Center 
•Attachment 3: Fund for Excellence 
•Attachment 4: Regional Childcare Service Agents 
•Attachment 5: Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Park 
•Attachment 6: Panbown Lake Industrial Park 
•Attachment 7: Lee County Industrial Park 
•Attachment 8: Lone Oak Industrial Park 
•Attachment 9: East Central Kentucky Workforce Report 
•Attachment 10: Owsley County KREDA Proposal to Governor Paul Patton 
•Attachment 11: Kentucky Business Incentives. 
•Attachment 12: Local County LGEDF Spreadsheets. 
•Attachment 13: Renewal Communities Project Surveys 
•Attachment 14: Champion Communities Benchmark System Report. 
COURSE OF ACTION 
COOPERATIVE COMMITMENT TO THE RENEWAL COMMUNITIES COURSE OF ACTION
 PARTNERSHIPS AND AGREEMENTS 
Located in the beautiful mountains of eastern Kentucky, and in the heart of Appalachia, Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe Counties, important regional organizations, as well as the Commonwealth of Kentucky have been working hard to improve the economic condition of our distressed, isolated communities. We are working to prepare our area for growth despite the difficult obstacles we face as a result of the geographic isolation, generational poverty, dependence on assistance, low educational levels that have caused a lack of motivation in our people, a poor transportation system, and, most importantly, a lack of jobs. 

However grim the circumstances may seem statistically, our communities are blessed with a population of good people who do the best they can to enjoy life with limited resources. For the most part, our people are happy with their quality of life and find the slow pace of community life peaceful and enjoyable. They have gotten used to having time to visit and talk with their neighbors. When bad things happen, our people are there to provide support and help where they can. On the other hand, our people want to work. In fact, many people want to have a job so badly that they drive long distances to get to work.

 Most importantly, our people have learned from their mistakes. Individuals with little income manage their money better than most. And they know more about what kind of community they need than most. Individuals in our communities have committed to growth. Not only community growth, but personal growth as well. They want an opportunity to learn and work. They take pride in providing for their families. Our people are proud of their mountain heritage and, due to years of struggle, have gained a variety of experiences and skills that qualify them to assure the success of a Renewal Community designation. 

This area, from the beginning of this process, made a sincere commitment to form a cooperative partnership in order to bring our communities into the 21st Century. When asked, Where are you from?, one person who moved to Owsley County within the last three years fondly replies, Im from the 1950's. The small town way of life, like years ago, means a lot to people. Everyone knows most everyone, and if anything happens, everyone knows. Children are raised with less of a focus on material lifestyles and more on the quality of lifestyle. Families are important. They stick together in the toughest of circumstances. Although the small town way of life is important, our people welcome job opportunities and look forward to taking care of themselves. Many realize that with the loss of agriculture income from tobacco farming, their livelihood depends on available jobs. 

Recognizing the benefits of the Renewal Communities designation, there are a great number of individuals waiting on an opportunity to be involved. Individual community members are excited about the possibility of locally available jobs. The leaders of these counties have proven their involvement and commitment by their work during this process and in the past. This group is committed to the implementation of the benefits of this designation and have committed to participate in the program throughout the entire designation. 

The partners described below, whose commitment is evidenced by their signature, have a history of partnership and programs in the designated area. Some of them have experience in working with currently designated Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Champion Communities. (Both Breathitt and Owsley Counties are recognized Champion Communities.)

It is the desire of these partners that the public have input into every aspect of this designation and its implementation. We have committed to settle for nothing less. Every person counts and their input is considered valuable. Not only does this give the public the assurance that they are going to be included in the process, it also shows a deep respect for individual people, not just the community. 

During the past few years, we have been involved in a broad range of activities that not only help to prepare our communities to attract business and create jobs, but also to create an atmosphere where individuals can gain self confidence and become self-sufficient, hard working people who are able to care for themselves. These activities could not have been accomplished had it not been for the active involvement and support of numerous local, regional, state, and national partners who have not only encouraged our participation, but also has supported our participation through personal involvement. 

The following list briefly describes the main partners in the Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe Counties Renewal Communities initiative. 
The Commonwealth of Kentucky (http://www.state.ky.us) 
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the standard of living for all of its citizens. In the last five years, Kentucky has made tremendous progress in a number of areas. We have diversified the economy, invested in transportation and communications infrastructure, improved healthcare delivery, extended education reform, and increased the number of visitors to our state through aggressive tourism programs.

 Recognizing that Appalachian Kentucky is not advancing at the same rate as the rest of the Commonwealth, the Governor has made a commitment to assist our area of the state to become more economically sound. Through the Cabinet for Economic Development, the Cabinet for Families and Children, the Workforce Development Cabinet, the Transportation Cabinet, the Cabinet for Health Services, and other divisions, Kentucky provides our communities with staff and resources to assist us in becoming more self-sustaining. Kentucky does not only encourage economic growth, but personal growth as well. 
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (http://www.edc.state.ky.us) 
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. Programs administered by the Cabinet are designed to support and promote economic development within the state primarily through attracting new industries to the state, assisting in the development of existing industries, and assisting communities in preparing for economic development opportunities. 

The Cabinet consists of the Office of the Secretary, the Office of the Commissioner for the New Economy, the Department for Coal County Development, the Department for Business Development, the Department of Financial Incentives, the Department of Community Development, and the Department of Administration and Support. 

Through the regional office in Prestonsburg, the Cabinet for Economic Development is familiar with area businesses, communities, and local leaders in economic development. Their specialists offer assistance to Kentucky businesses through existing and expanding business programs and site and infrastructure development programs, including access to technical advice for communities utilizing their single and multi-county coal severance funds. They also work with local communities by assisting with the marketing of county and regional industrial parks and speculative buildings. 

Kentucky offers some of the most innovative tax incentives and business development programs in the nation to new and existing businesses. These programs are designed to help existing businesses in the state grow and prosper and encourage new firms to join Kentuckys business population. Low business costs, a wide range of tax and financial incentives, and licensing and marketing assistance programs are just a few of the innovative programs available to encourage business investments and expansion in Kentucky. 
Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children (http://cfc.state.ky.us) 
The Cabinet for Families and Children provides human services for the citizens of Kentucky. The Cabinets services include protection for vulnerable children and adults, child abuse investigations, foster care, adoptions, child support collections, cash assistance, food stamps, disability determinations, and more. 

The Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) is administered through the Cabinet for Families and Children and provides financial and medical assistance to needy dependent children in Kentucky and the parents, or relatives, with whom the children are living. This program offers temporary cash assistance to families in order to assist families in finding jobs or getting training that leads to a job. 

The K-TAP mission is to provide families with the tools to become self-sufficient while ensuring children are protected and valued. Their goals are to move their clients into full-time, unsubsidized employment, help their clients retain jobs and, when necessary, obtain re-employment, assist families to become self-sufficient, involving clients in work activities in order for them to become self-sufficient before their five year limit expires, and to ensure that children live in a safe, secure environment. 

Their approach is to develop partnerships with other state agencies, local governments, community based organizations and employers to provide linkages for Kentucky Works participants for services to reduce barriers to employment, to integrate services, to develop multiple strategies recognizing the varying strengths and needs of clients and communities, to encourage communities to develop broad based collaborations for local plans for welfare reform and regionalized economic development strategies, and to maximize all state and local resources. They also provide information and support to participants enabling them to recognize their own strengths, value work, formulate goals, choose options, and meet new expectations. They integrate the new mission into service delivery through training for case managers and communication with service providers. 

The Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children (CFC) is responsible for the TANF block grant. TANF is administered by the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) within the CFC. DCBS offices are located in every county. Case managers work in partnership with families to support their efforts toward self-sufficiency. Coordinators serve as program consultants in Kentucky Works policy and act as facilitators/resource persons with other agencies.
 The East Kentucky Corporation (http://www.eastkentucky.com) 
The East Kentucky Corporation, created in 1990, is dedicated to increasing sustainable employment opportunities within eastern Kentucky by marketing the region as a good place to live and locate a business, increasing attention to knowledge-based industries and workers, partnering with other organizations with similar goals, helping existing businesses, and promoting an entrepreneurial climate. 

The East Kentucky Corporation owns and operates a small revolving loan fund for assisting in financing eligible entrepreneurial businesses at both their start-up state and their first expansion stage. In as much as possible, the East Kentucky Corporation seeks to partner with local commercial lenders, as well as other non-profit and public agency small business lenders. 
Kentucky River Area Development District 
The Kentucky River Area Development District is a quasi governmental agency working with city and county governments in the KRADD area to improve the quality of life for our citizens. KRADD was officially organized on May 13, 1968, the third of the fifteen Area Development Districts formed in Kentucky as non-profit planning and development organizations. KRADD serves as a representative of local units of government and citizens throughout the area and as a communication network for cities, counties, states, and federal governments. KRADD also serves as a center for information and data pertaining to the Kentucky River Area. KRADD has helped to provide a forum where Mayors, County Judge Executives, legislators, and citizen lenders can discuss problems and projects of mutual concern in order to improve the quality of life in our mountain region. 

KRADD serves all of the counties located within the designated zone through physical resources including economic development, a revolving loan fund, mapping and Geographic Information System services, public administration, transportation planning, community resource planning and coordination of the state PRIDE program, and human resources such as nutrition planning, support services, the Senior Community Service Employment Program, home care, long-term care ombudsman program, family caregivers program, community collaboration for children, and rental assistance. 
Middle Kentucky Area Development Council 
The Middle Kentucky River Area Development Council integrates their services with existing services within the community to provide a holistic approach to services that strengthen families, address barriers to success, and support economic growth in Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe Counties. Beyond providing services to individuals, Middle Kentucky is dedicated to the improvement of business, the availability of jobs, improved local community government, and local services, working with these agencies both as customers and collaboration partners in these endeavors. 

Middle Kentucky programs include Workforce Investment Act programs aimed at providing assistance with locating employment and training; Head Start, serving children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old; LIHEAP, a federally funded program that offers energy assistance to low-income individuals and families through subsidy and crisis; TOPS Job Club, a welfare-to-work initiative operated by the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Service on site at Middle Kentucky to provide assistance with career planning, job readiness, and life skills to aid clients in becoming self-sufficient; Middle Kentucky Transportation, providing transportation alternatives to places of employment, educational facilities, medical facilities and other areas; an educational program conducted during the fall just prior to college starting which helps low-income clients with tuition and books; a weatherization program which assists low-income families and those with disabilities with insulation against winter weather through applying techniques to conserve energy and to help utility costs become affordable; and a Title III-C Nutrition program providing meals throughout the four county area. 
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (http://www.maced.org) 
The Mountain Association for Economic Development has a history of successful work in the designated area. The Owsley County Action Team, now an independent non-profit organization, was part of MACEDs Sustainable Communities Program for five years. MACEDs Business Development program complements resources locally-owned businesses need to prosper in todays business environment. MACED loan customers are typically unable to obtain sufficient financing from conventional sources, but share MACEDs commitment to building sustainable and vibrant local economies. This is best demonstrated when a company creates jobs from within the community, and shows a willingness to pay livable wages, build employee skills, and provide benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. 

MACED offers below-market rates and innovative financing options by packaging loans with both public and private sources. They have contributed to the growth, financial stability, and long-term success of many area businesses. The staff is experienced in helping companies reach their goals by providing assistance with business planning, financial statements, and assessing and meeting their capital needs. 
Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (http://www.southernkentucky.com) 
The Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to create jobs in a 27-county service area in southern Kentucky. The organization creates job opportunities by providing business and industry leaders access to capital and by attracting new business to the region. They accomplish this mission by providing direct loans, small business technical assistance, and by offering community/economic development services to local communities. SKEDC is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution and has invested $5.1 million in 31 industries established or expanding operations in southern Kentucky. Through SKEDC programs, more than 1,600 new jobs have been created in the region. 

SKEDC financed a 25,920 square foot speculative industrial building in Owsley Countys Lone Oak Industrial Park through its Industrial Building Loan Fund. This building is one of two speculative buildings funded through the loan program. A second building is located in Jackson County. The Industrial Building Loan Fund is made possible through a grant from the Economic Development Administration. Through the program, SKEDC provides funding to local communities to erect speculative buildings. The building project must involve a minimum investment of $250,000. Loans may only be made to purchase land and erect industrial buildings. 

There are a number of other local organizations who provide services to individuals in need and to raise the self esteem and motivation in individuals so they can become successful, self-supporting people. There are also many organizations dedicated to the economic growth of this area. The goals and actions listed in this document identifies some of the major partners who are committed to helping people become economically self-sufficient and succeed in their jobs. In addition to many other organizations too numerous to mention, we have established partnerships with federal agencies including HHS, HUD, USDA, EDA, EPA, ARC, Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, and many private foundations including the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, the Christian Appalachian Project, the Environmental Support Center, the Southern Baptist Corporation, the Waitt Family Foundation and many local partners including Image Entry, Farmers State Bank, Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, Farm Bureau Insurance, Middlefork Insurance, Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe County Fiscal Courts, the Cities of Beattyville, Booneville, Campton, and Jackson, and many other local sources. And, as the years go by, many new partnerships will be created, not only with providers of services, including business, but the individuals who represent our successes. 
Signed Cooperative Commitment
The following signatures represent our overall commitment to take full advantage of all benefits relating to a Renewal Community designation. Most importantly, they represent our commitment to the individuals in our community for whom these benefits are intended. 

Representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Paul Patton Governor 

Representing the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development:   

Representing the Prestonsburg Regional Office of the Kentucky Economic Development:  

Representing Breathitt County: Robert E. Cornett, County Judge Executive

Representing Lee County:  L. C. Reese, County Judge Executive 

County Judge Executive Representing Owsley County: Jimmie Herald, County Judge Executive

Representing Wolfe County: Darrell Bumgardner, County Judge Executive

Representing the City of Beattyville: (Lee County) Charles Beach, III 

Representing the City of Booneville: (Owsley County) Charles Long Mayor Mayor 

Representing the City of Campton: (Wolfe County) Richard Jett Mayor 

Representing the City of Jackson: (Breathitt County) Michael Miller Mayor 

Representing the East Kentucky Corporation:  Tom Jones Executive Director 

Representing the Kentucky River Area Development District:  

Representing the Middle Kentucky Area  Development Council:  Darrell Shouse Executive Director 

Representing the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development: Tom McRae President 

Representing the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation:  Greg Jones Executive Director 
GOALS AND ACTIONS 
GOALS AND ACTIONS 
Our goals and actions represent the following four of the six criteria outlined in the Renewal Communities Application Guide: 
• An increase in the level and efficiency of local services within the Renewal Community, such as services for residents funded through the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and related Federal programs including, for example, job support services, child care and after school care for children of working residents, employment training, transportation services, and other services that help residents become economically self sufficient. 
•Crime reduction strategies, such as crime prevention, including the provision of crime prevention services by non-governmental entities. 
•Involvement in economic development activities by private entities, organizations, neighborhood organizations, and community groups, particularly those in the Renewal Community, including a commitment from such private entities to provide jobs and job training for, and technical, financial, or other assistance to, employers, employees, and residents from the Renewal Community. 
•The gift or sale at below fair market value of surplus real property held by state or local governments, such as land, homes, and commercial or industrial structures in the Renewal Communities to neighborhood organizations, community development corporations, or private companies. 

 The following identifies our proposed actions that meet the required goals. 

Goal 1:  To increase the level and efficiency of local services within the Renewal Community, such as services for residents funded through the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and related Federal programs including, for example, job support services, child care and after school care for children of working residents, employment training, transportation services, and other services that help residents become economically self-sufficient. 

Actions: 
•Provide tools to assist families in become self-sustaining. 
•Create opportunities to earn a family wage. 
•Focus on individual needs and regional distinctions. 
•Partner with families and the community as a whole. 
•Provide opportunities for education and work experience. 
•Enlist the aid of other state agencies, local government and the private sector to expand work opportunities. 
•Provide access to entrepreneurial training and small business development programs for individuals and businesses in the zone. 
•Provide locally available access to basic and specific job skills training. 
•mprove access to safe, affordable childcare for working individuals throughout the zone. 
•Encourage the use of available transportation opportunities and market this information to individuals who live within the zone. 
•Provide assistance to farmers to take advantage of financial and technical resources available. 
•Expand and improve the availability of housing, including low-income, assisted living, and emergency housing services throughout the zone. 
•Create housing opportunities for individuals interested in renting or purchasing a home. 
•Improve communication between communities and schools and create more opportunities for involvement and input. 
•Improve the school drop-out rate throughout the zone. 
•Utilize the 21st Century Community Learning Center throughout the zone and offer access to individuals of all ages during and after school. 
•Improve and expand educational opportunities for adults and young people who have dropped out of school throughout the zone. 
•Enhance, improve, and expand the public libraries throughout the zone in order to offer a larger selection of materials and to improve public access. 
•Improve the publics availability to technology and technological resources and learning opportunities throughout the zone. 
•To improve accessibility to after-hours and emergency healthcare facilities for all individuals throughout the zone. 

Social Services and Assistance 
The State of Kentucky has many programs that aid families to become self-sufficient. Most notably is the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP), administered through the Cabinet for Families and Children. K-TAP provides financial and medical assistance to needy dependent children in Kentucky and the parents, or relatives, with whom the children are living. This program offers temporary cash assistance to families in order to assist families in finding jobs or getting training that leads to a job. (See Attachment 1: Kentucky Title IV-A State TANF Plan, July 2001.) 

The K-TAP mission is to provide families with the tools to become self-sufficient while ensuring children are protected and valued. Their goals are to move their clients into full-time, unsubsidized employment, help their clients retain jobs and, when necessary, obtain re-employment, assist families to become self-sufficient, involving clients in work activities in order for them to become self-sufficient before their five year limit expires, and to ensure that children live in a safe, secure environment.
 
Their approach is to develop partnerships with other state agencies, local governments, community based organizations and employers to provide linkages for Kentucky Works participants for services to reduce barriers to employment, to integrate services, to develop multiple strategies recognizing the varying strengths and needs of clients and communities, to encourage communities to develop broad based collaborations for local plans for welfare reform and regionalized economic development strategies, and to maximize all state and local resources. They also provide information and support to participants enabling them to recognize their own strengths, value work, formulate goals, choose options, and meet new expectations. They integrate the new mission into service delivery through training for case managers and communication with service providers.

 The Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children (CFC) is responsible for the TANF block grant. TANF is administered by the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) within the CFC. DCBS offices are located in every county. Case managers work in partnership with families to support their efforts toward self-sufficiency. Coordinators serve as program consultants in Kentucky Works policy and act as facilitators/resource persons with other agencies.

 Local CFC office staff are dedicated to making sure that all clients receive adequate information on available assistance and other opportunities for personal growth. The workers are caring and professional and work hard to make sure their clients understand their benefits and any time limits they may be facing. They especially encourage clients to take advantage of any educational and job preparedness and training programs to prepare these individuals for work. They make many home visits to stay in touch with those who do not keep regular appointments or find it difficult to travel to the office. Additionally, the CFC is involved actively in community programs and organizations and are more than willing to assist in any projects that can benefit those they serve. 

Middle Kentucky Area Development Council (MKADC) provides a weatherization program (which served 32 homes during the last year) which provides cost effective energy conserving home improvements to low-income families and those with disabilities. The program focuses on insulating against winter weather through applying techniques to conserve energy and to help utility costs remain affordable. With current funding, they plan to serve 45-50 homes. Additionally, they provide the Low-Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which offers energy assistance to low-income individuals and families through two components: subsidy and crisis. Subsidy provides a one-time payment for heating costs. The crisis component serves clients who have received disconnect notices and will be without heat within five days. Payment amount for both components are determined by the family size, income, and primary source of heat used in the home, and is paid directly to the vendors. Last year, 4,943 individuals were served through the subsidy component and 2,864 were served through the crisis component. They work through local Community Action Agencies to gather applications for these programs. 

Family and Youth Service Centers, located at each elementary and high school in every county, work with children and families on parenting skills, parent/child activities, and referrals to other organizations for services or assistance. 

The Caring Place, while also providing job training and support services, offers assistance with family management skills, access to agricultural assistance, home food processing and training, access to the food pantry, budgeting, counseling, access to domestic violence shelters, legal aid, disaster assistance, clothing assistance, prevention programs, health education classes, access to drug and alcohol counseling, school supplies, and tutoring.

 Kentucky Community Care provides mental health and drug and alcohol abuse counseling. 
Education and Work Experience 
We will continue working with state agencies such as the Cabinet for Economic Development, the Department for Employment Services (DES) and the Workforce Development Cabinet to take advantage of training opportunities offered to assist individuals to prepare for work. These agencies have been the backbone of training opportunities in the State of Kentucky and have a history of important involvement throughout the state with organizations trying to improve the lives of their people. One example of state involvement is to provide incentives for businesses to hire individuals and provide the necessary training by providing matching grants for training programs. 

The State of Kentucky, through the Cabinet for Families and Children, created an independent corporation within the Cabinet for Economic Development, called the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), providing grants for customized skills training of workers for new, expanding, and existing businesses and industries in Kentucky. Matching grants are awarded for portions of an employers eligible costs for training Kentucky residents in job skills ranging from entry level to advanced, including retraining, occupational upgrading, and skills upgrading of existing employees. The BSSC works with other employment and job training resources, and financial incentive agencies to design a training program customized to meet the specific needs of a company. Approved training can be provided by an educational institution, training consultants, or by the companys own trainers. BSSC funds can be used for curriculum development, instructor fees, instructional materials, and the purchase of training equipment (under capacity building programs). 

BSSC can also help to cover a portion of the travel costs for the employees of new, expanding, and existing Kentucky industries that must be sent outside of Kentucky or the United States for training as company instructors. The instructors must return to the company and train other employees on similar equipment, processes, and procedures. BSSC can reimburse the company partially for the instructor/trainers out-of-state travel and lodging expenses. BSSC also provides existing companies the ability to claim state income tax credits for 50% of their approved costs for occupational and skills upgrade training costs. The credits are limited to $500 per employee and cannot exceed $100,000 per company per biennium. Training may be provided by company employees, educational institutions, or training consultants. Priority will be given to high performance companies as determined by the BSSC, and total investment credits are limited to $2,500,000 per year. 

The Kentucky Workforce Development Cabinet (http://www.kycwd.org), through the Department of Employment Services (DES) provides assistance to Kentucky employers in the areas of employee services. The DES provides recruitment, screening, and referral services. These services are provided at no cost to either employers or employees. Through its local offices located across the state, the Department performs screening of potential employees for the individual employers selection criteria, assesses job applicants work experience, education, and training, refers only qualified applicants to the employer for potential interviews, assists with the initial documentation of foreign workers, and certifies qualified job applicants whose employment will qualify the employer for federal and state tax incentives. Recruitment and placement services have been so successful that many employers now accept job applications only through the DES. 

The Office of Development and Industry Relations within the Workforce Development Cabinet coordinates the Cabinet and its agencies business and industry training activities. This office acts as a one-stop-broker for both local and statewide needs. Industry-specific, customized training, screening, and assessing are offered by agencies within the Workforce Development Cabinet. 

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (http://www.kctcs.net) provides access to educational programs at more than 100 extended sites, centers, and campuses located across the Commonwealth. The 29 communities and technical colleges in the KCTCS offer various human resource services that can impact employee performance levels. The KCTCS may offer assistance in the hiring and selection process utilized by Kentuckys new, existing, and expanding businesses. The Work Profiling System is a structured job analysis utilized by the community colleges to provide companies with accurate information regarding task analysis, staff selection, employee development, competency identification, and training needs assessment. This system has been invaluable to Kentucky businesses in the development of customized employee recruitment and screening processes that may include industry-specific application screening, behavioral and ability assessments, and structured interviewing. Each college has a business and industry liaison available to analyze the individual needs of business and industry and to propose ways to meet those needs. In addition, the KCTCS Mobile Training Unit moves around the state delivering on-the-site training in CNC, PLC, and CADD/AutoCADD. Distance learning classes, teleconferences, and satellite feeds are part of the services offered by the colleges. Locally, Hazard Community College provides these services through the Lees College Campus in Jackson (Breathitt County), and by videoconference through CenterNet and KTLN sites.

It is a goal of the Department for Technical Education and the Cabinet for Workforce Development to create a collaborative relationship with local school districts to enhance growth in Kentuckys educational community. The Kentucky Department for Technical Educations state operated system of Kentucky TECH schools provides quality technical education through 52 secondary schools known as Area Technology Centers. The primary purpose of area technology centers is to serve high school students by enhancing and expanding student career options that lead to continuation of education at the postsecondary level and/or successful employment upon graduation from high school. Students receive instruction in sound academic principles, theory, laboratory and clinical experiences to ensure they can compete successfully in todays changing workplace. The area technology centers serving the designated area are located within Lee and Breathitt Counties.

The Kentucky Department for Adult Education and Literacy (http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/wforce/dael) is a network of local instructional programs funded throughout the state that are designed to assist adults in acquiring knowledge and developing the potential to achieve their goals in the workplace, at home, and in society. Their programs include adult education which offers basic education skills to adults in their roles as learners, workers, family members, and citizens to enable them to develop coping skills for living and wage earning, and to better their self-concepts. The GED classes provide adults with the skills necessary to pass the high school equivalency exam. The Family Literacy program is an intense on-going program which provides educational opportunities for family members to learn together. Finally, the SKILL program provides customized workplace essential skills classes to business and industry which enhance worker skills enabling them to cope with their occupations and increase wage earning potential. Adult education centers are located in each county located within the designated zone. 

The State has also created the Kentucky Virtual Library (1998), the Kentucky Virtual University(1999), and the Kentucky Virtual Adult Education (2001) websites available on-line. These services offer instant access to information as well as educational opportunities. These sites offer one-stop access to affordable college credit courses and professional development programs as well as access to literacy information, curriculum, resources, and services in an easy-to-use and motivational format. (http://www.kyvu.org; http://www.kyvae.org; http://www.kyvl.org)

 Locally, There are a number of available opportunities related to job skills, job preparedness, and job placement. All compliment and enhance, rather than duplicate services in order to offer more diverse training programs to a broader group of people. 

The Owsley County Action Team implemented a Steps-to-Success Welfare-to-Work training program with WTW funds through the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program. This program was designed well, however, qualifying restrictions kept many from attending. This program allowed us to serve only the hard-to-serve group of individuals who have received KTAP for more than two and a half years. This group of individuals are the hardest to motivate. There were over 50 individuals who wanted to take the training, however, because they only received food stamps and a medical card, or, if they were underemployed or temporarily unemployed, were married, or part of the working poor, they did not qualify and were not allowed to be served. 

The community has expressed a need for training programs available to anyone who wants to receive training and who is in financial need of assistance in getting that training. Therefore, the Owsley County Action Team has plans to re-implement the Steps to Success training program, create a curriculum related to the use of computer technology in a work environment, utilize the PowerUp computer lab that will be installed soon, and CenterNet, and will seek funding that will allow them to broaden the qualifying guidelines so that more individuals who need training can get training. 

Regarding the use of technology, the Owsley County Action Team is becoming an important technical resource in that they have expanded the availability and public interest in and use of computers and video conferencing capabilities. Recently, the Action Team partnered with the Center for Rural Development to implement CenterNet, a video-conferencing, distance learning, and public Internet service. This provides a large and small video conferencing unit, furniture, four public access computers, and Internet access through a T1 line. Additionally, the soon-to-beinstalled PowerUp computer lab and Vista worker will coordinate computer and technology programs only adding to the availability of training utilizing technology. 

CenterNet is also located in Breathitt County at the Lees College Campus of Hazard Community College. This system will be moved to the Jefferson Hotel Skills Center as soon as renovations are complete. CenterNet is in the process of being installed in Lee and Wolfe Counties as well. We plan to promote and utilize CenterNet to provide unique job skills training opportunities by video conference. Through the Center for Rural Development, we can offer many types of training to local individuals without them having to leave the county to receive that training. Individual counties partnered with the Center to assist with funding the maintenance costs over a five year period. CenterNet is currently in the process of being installed in Lee County in downtown Beattyville in the former Congleton Brothers store. The People Encouraging People (PEP) Coalition will manage the operation of the site and the facility. The site in Wolfe County will be located on Highway 15 in Campton in the Kentucky River Community Care Centers outpatient facility. 

Additionally, we will work with the Jackson County Vocational School and their entrepreneurial training program and other regional vocational, and community college and university programs to increase the participation in their programs by adults and young people who have dropped out of school. The programs in Jackson County were created as a result of a Round I Empowerment Zone designation. 

The Caring Place in Lee County works to assist current K-TAP recipients in developing essential life skills needed to obtain a job. They maintain a supportive environment, while linking participants with potential employers. Their goal is to assist K-TAP recipients in the transition from receiving benefits to entering the workforce. They offer mentoring services to all active clients where they receive support, encouragement, resources, job training, and positive motivation toward self-sufficiency. During the 2000-2001 fiscal year, there were 85 individuals enrolled in job readiness activities, 41 completed the program and 76 secured paid employment 

The Caring Place receives referrals from the Cabinet for Families and Children. After an initial assessment, the participant is placed in job readiness activities that are based on individual needs. Some of the services provided by partnering agencies are basic academic skills, employment skills, occupational skills, agricultural assistance, home food processing and training, food pantry, budgeting, counseling, domestic violence shelter, legal aid, disaster assistance, clothing assistance, community education and prevention programs, CNA classes, health education classes, nutrition programs, environmental services, drug and alcohol counseling, crisis counseling, school supplies, and tutoring for adult education participants. 

The Caring Place also works with several employers in order to secure paid employment for their participants. CBS Personnel in Winchester, Kentucky sends staff to the Caring Place every six weeks to take applications. They also provide workshops to participants on how to prepare for a job interview. CBS Personnel offers staffing services, rather than temporary services, for several companies in eastern Kentucky. 

The Owsley County Action Team, during the Steps to Success Welfare-to-Work Training Program, worked with the local Cabinet for Families and Children on the possibilities of receiving funding from the Cabinet to provide instructors for job skills training activities. It was explained that unless we become a component of the Cabinet officially, they could not work with us on funding these types of programs. However, we do have the support of our local Cabinet for Families and Children in working with state officials to make Owsley County Action Team a component in order to provide training. The Owsley County Action Team is considering becoming an eligible training provider, depending on funding availability and resources. 

There are a number of individuals interested in learning about computers that are eligible for, or receiving K-TAP. The Action Team recently partnered with The Caring Place in Lee County to provide basic instruction in Windows 95 and Microsoft Word to 15 individuals. 

The Owsley County Action Team is also working with Image Entry, a local data entry company, to provide their specific job skills training through Action Place. When Image Entry located in Owsley County, they provided the Owsley County High School a server, a classroom telephone, and software needed to train students in data entry work. However, the majority of students who complete the class and go to Image Entry for a job cannot pass the data entry test and most cannot use a keyboard for simple typing tasks. Because these classes are offered through the school system during normal school hours, adults cannot take advantage of that training. 

Therefore, we have proposed to work with Image Entry to provide this training at the computer lab facilities at Action Place. This would free up quite a bit of space at Image Entry for them to hire additional employees. Additionally, there would be more qualified applicants to deal with and adults would be able to receive training. Image Entry will provide the software necessary to provide the training and will train Action Team staff in order to prepare them for instructing the classes. However, funding will need to be secured for a staff person to provide that training.

 Additionally, the Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority is considering the incorporation of a computer program where 50 computers could be made available to individuals who work from home. Referrals would come from Image Entry in Owsley County to provide computers to employees who have worked in their plant for more than one year so that they can work for the company from home. This will allow more jobs to be created within the plant, while giving some employees an opportunity to work while at home. 

The designated zone will work together to create a Job Skills Training Resource Directory listing all available training and job support opportunities within the zone, region and state. This resource directory will assist individuals in identifying appropriate training opportunities that fit their needs as well as assisting case workers to help individuals understand their options.. This directory will be printed and made available to the public through action teams, local training providers and other organizations. 

Action teams and industrial authorities will work together with the adult education and social service providers to increase the number of adults enrolled in GED and adult literacy training programs. This will be accomplished through creative marketing and through the Job Skills Training Resource Directory. We will work through the Cabinet for Families and Children to further encourage recipients to take advantage of opportunities available while they are receiving benefits. 

We believe that by focusing a large portion of our attention on the youth sector, we can break the cycle of poverty and instill the belief in our children that welfare is not the answer to becoming and remaining self-supporting. By teaching job preparedness and skills training, including a focus on work ethic, we hope to help young people understand the need for responsibility and commitment when thinking about work. 

In order to create a strong work ethic among our youth, we will work with county boards of education in order to improve student access to advanced placement courses and to increase the number of students enrolling in vocational courses. In Owsley County, during community meetings and through surveys, individuals, including students, complained that there were not enough students signing up for these kinds of classes, which keeps the few that do sign up from being able to attend. Students in Owsley County are transported by bus to the Lee County Area Vocational Center for these types of classes If possible, we would like to work with the area vocational schools to provide instructors who can travel to the counties that do not have area or county vocational school to provide these types of classes to students who are interested. 

The designated area will work with local and regional community colleges and universities to provide job preparedness and skills training by video conference through CenterNet to all school children and adults. Currently, three Hazard Community College students are taking Economics 201 by video-conference at the Owsley County Action Teams CenterNet facilities. They are working with Hazard Community College and other universities to provide more classes for individuals who are interested in lessening their travel time to school. 

The Jefferson Hotel Skills Center in Jackson, Kentucky (Breathitt County) has received funding for major renovations. They have planned to include space for training workshop opportunities. Additionally, the CenterNet facilities will be moved from the Lees College Campus of Hazard Community College, a temporary location, to the Jefferson Hotel Skills Center when renovations are complete. For the Breathitt County Action Team, this center means attractive, accessible office space. Currently, the Action Team office is located above the public library in downtown Jackson. Handicapped accessibility is a problem, and space is limited. This new facility will give the Breathitt County Action Team the exposure it needs to begin providing the services and programs it has planned, as well as having direct access to CenterNet facilities that will be utilized in the implementation of many activities outlined in their strategic plan. (See Attachment 2: Jefferson Hotel Skills Center.) 

Many programs are available locally aimed at youth prevention and career preparation. For example, in Owsley County, the Fund For Excellence program will celebrate the graduation of its first class this year. This will be the largest graduating class in the history of Owsley County High School and many like to think that this is a direct result of the Fund for Excellence and other after school and extracurricular programs. The Fund was started in 1994 with the first 7th grade class entering the program in 1995. The program is designed to raise expectations on the part of parents, students, and the community through disseminating information concerning opportunities, creating an entrepreneurial spirit in our young people, and providing incentives for high school graduation and post-secondary education. (See Attachment 3: Fund for Excellence.) 

The board members of the first class worked extensively with students and parents on activities designed to build a nest egg for investment. They started with a $1,000 grant from the Brushy Forks Teamwork for Tomorrow program and used these funds to host a Spring Horse Show, which profited a little over $4,000, and from later projects such as selling chances on donated Appalachian handmade quilts and other programs. They will graduate this year with approximately $17,000 which they will divide among the students. The Fund For Excellence also has three $10,000 endowments from the Baker Family, the Turner Family, and the Gabbard Family, all from Owsley County. Interest on these endowments provides three annual scholarships to Owsley County High School graduating seniors. The amounts vary based on interest earned. There is also a $5,000 endowment from the Annual Earl Glenn Jackson BEEK Award to provide an award to a high school student who has contributed most to the environment. 

In 2000, the Fund for Excellence received $50,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to create and operate a Fund for Excellence Youth-run Business. It has been decided this will be an office supply store which will also local handmade crafts and other items. Although plans are to open the store by the beginning of the next school year, however, planned renovations at Action Place will cause a delay. 

This project, although very successful, has been hampered by lack of staff. All activities have been accomplished by volunteers with no coordination. The evidence of this graduating class accomplishments justifies the need to provide staff to coordinate the Fund for Excellence program so that more successful students graduate from high school. 

Additionally, each school system offers the Extended School Services Program (ESS) to assist failing students to make up work and improve their grades. 
Childcare 
Concerning childcare, statistics show that the highest poverty levels among children were in the under five year old group. Compare that with the percent of children under 18 in general and the percentage is much lower. After discussing this with other parents and childcare providers, it was determined that it is cheaper for a mother to stay at home rather than work during the first five years due to childcare expenses, transportation, and other experiences, such as health problems in children under 5, that require more time than after a child starts kindergarten. 

Many parents want their children to stay in a daycare center environment with activities provided that enrich their childrens learning experiences. We will work with local State Certified Childcare Providers to examine ways in which we can expand the childcare services already offered.

 In an effort to efficiently serve as many children as possible and to support welfare reform efforts, the State of Kentucky, through the Cabinet for Families and Children, provides a variety of childcare assistance programs. Federal and state funds pay for child care assistance. The main fund source is the Child Care and Development Fund. Other federal funds include TANF and Welfare-to-Work. 

In order to administer assistance statewide, the Cabinet has contracted with five regional service agents. These agents determine eligibility, match clients to available child care resources, help families find quality child care, process assistance payments, and address unmet child care needs. The Eastern Kentucky Childcare Coalition is the agent who serves Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe counties. (See Attachment 4: Regional Service Agents for Childcare.) 

There are a number of children being served through the childcare program in this area. Currently, there are 88 certified childcare providers with approximately 271 children being served. To be eligible, child care must be needed for parents to work or to be in a K-TAP or Welfare-to-Work program; to protect a child from abuse, neglect or removal from the home; for a teen parent to attend high school; or for education or vocational training. Eligible children must be under the age of 13, or under the age of 18 if physically or mentally incapable of caring for him or herself, or under the age of 18 and under court supervision. 

Child care providers must be licensed, certified, or enrolled unless they are a qualifying relative . Parents or persons living in the same household as a child needing care cannot be paid for caring for that child. Relatives must meet the same minimum requirements as enrolled providers. Families who are discontinued from K-TAP due to employment are eligible for childcare assistance for 12 months from the date they leave K-TAP, as long as their income does not exceed 85% of the state median income scale and they remain employed. The percent then decreases according to income level. The maximum income eligibility is 165% of the federal poverty guideline. Because these childcare programs stress family responsibility, except for protective service cases and families with a monthly income below $900, all families will pay for part of their childcare expenses. Childcare assistance is not granted when free programs are available and accessible. 

The Middle Kentucky Area Development Council is the primary coordinator for the Head Start program in the designated zone. Approximately 408 children are served between the ages of three and five. In Owsley County the Head Start program also offers infant care and home-based services. Should a designation be received, and a need for childcare increases due to an increase in jobs, Middle Kentucky is prepared to secure funding in order to expand the Head Start program so that more children and families can be served. 

Through Vision 2000, the Mountain Tots Early Childhood Development Center in Breathitt County plans to purchase property and build adequate facilities as well as expand the program to provide services 24 hours per day. The center currently rents their facility and is limited to 49 slots. This childcare center is primarily funded through the Community Collaboration for Children grant awarded bi-annually by the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children. The expense for expansion of this facility includes construction, equipment, and the purchase of property and is estimated to cost $350,000. This program has been, initially, a subsidiary program under Vision 2000 and is currently in the process of establishing itself as a separate entity by applying for non-profit status. 

Breathitt County also plans so research the feasibility of a sick room inside a child care center or located adjacent to the center in a much smaller facility attached. Often times, individuals have problems with productivity on the job when children are sick. If a place was available for childcare for children who are not so sick that they require medical attention, but dont feel well enough to be around other children, parents would have a much better opportunity to improve productivity on the job and rest assured that their children, although feeling under the weather, are being well taken care of in a caring, safe environment. If this project is found to be feasible, we will work with local childcare providers to implement these services throughout the zone. 

In addition to childcare, a much needed service in this area is adult child care. Many families are caring for elderly relatives in their homes. These individuals often require as much, or more care than children. The only facilities currently available to assist with adult daycare is the Geri Young Home in Lee County. Their hours are 8:00 - 5:00 and they serve 31 individuals. They are licensed to serve 34 individuals and provide healthcare professionals to assist in their care. Should a designation occur, there will be a need for more services of this nature throughout the zone. We will work together to create programs similar to the Geri Young Home in other counties within the designated area. 

Recently, representatives from Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe Counties got together to form a regional Vision 2000 organization. One of the main topics discussed as a goal was child and adult daycare. We will identify ways we can improve and expand the availability of quality child and adult daycare centers in order to assist families in keeping jobs and increasing productivity on the job. 
Transportation 
Transportation is one of the main challenges facing people making the transition from welfare to work. There is a mismatch between where most entry-level and service sector jobs are located and where most welfare recipients live. Many entry-level jobs require evening or weekend hours, and many parents going to work also need transportation in order to access child care, which further complicates their commute to work Having a car can make a tremendous difference. Information from the Urban Institutes National Survey of American Families show that twice as many welfare recipients with cars were working than those without cars. Many welfare recipients do not have cars. 

In addition to on-going state road projects, Kentucky has taken a comprehensive approach to providing coordinated transportation to the needy. Four Cabinet offices Families and Children, Health Services, Workforce Development, and Transportation combined transportation resources to develop a new coordinated transportation system for all their participants. Empower Kentucky provides transportation services to individuals through 16 regional providers. In this designated area, we are served by the LKLP Community Action Council, through the Daniel Boone Transit Authority and the Middle Kentucky Area Development Council Transportation System. Although this transportation system is used mainly for medical purposes, K-TAP recipients also take advantage of these services in order to attend training programs and travel to work. 

If a designation is made, business opportunities and the number of jobs available will increase along with the need for transportation services. With that in mind, we are committed to analyzing information on where welfare recipients live, locations of the jobs for which welfare recipients are qualified, location of training centers and family and child care centers, and available transportation resources. With this information, we will identify strategies to increase the availability of resources available to individuals to keep them employed. Middle Kentucky is ready to expand into other areas if needed. 

Currently, the K-TAP program provides transportation assistance to individuals who secure paid employment. These services are available for up to 12 months after beginning work. An adult taking part in KWP may get help with childcare, transportation, and other items needed to work, or needed for a work or training activity. A family may also get help with things needed in order to keep working including uniforms, clothing, or tools needed for the job; car license and registration fees, insurance, tires, brakes, and other car repairs; and expenses for moving to a new home needed to get or keep a job. 

A transportation brochure will be made available throughout the zone in order to make the public aware of all transportation opportunities and benefits currently available. Additionally, they will work to recruit or create a public transportation program for general transportation needs among individual community members. Many counties have Park and Ride lots available. A great number of individuals living within the zone have to travel for up to 2 hours to reach their work place. We will encourage the use of these park and ride stations for carpooling and for taking advantage of other transportation options. We hope that by marketing the stations and other options, individuals might be encouraged to seek employment, even if they do have to go out of town to find a job. 
Communication 
Although many individuals, including welfare recipients, have been provided an array of benefits for many years, most still do not understand or know much about other programs available to assist them in becoming self-sustaining. Clearly, this is not a result of a lack of communication between clients and caseworkers. Our Cabinet for Families and Children offices have caring staff who try to inform individuals about all programs available. However, there is a need to make sure individuals know more about available benefits in order to continue moving people from welfare to work. 

We plan to work with the Cabinet for Families and Children to create a unique, interesting publication that explains in detail all the programs available that can in any way assist an individual in becoming a self-supporting and self-sustaining.
Agricultural Assistance
Farming in eastern Kentucky, particularly tobacco farming, provides many families with annual income. In the recent years, this area has worked hard to educate our farmers about issues relating to the decrease in demand for tobacco, and most importantly, the tobacco settlement funds that have been allocated to states, and then to counties, for use in alternative crop programs, healthcare and tobacco education and prevention. In Kentucky, and particularly eastern Kentucky, tobacco has provided the majority of income to area farmers. These farmers are feeling the effects of tobacco legislation. For too long, small tobacco farmers have had to work very hard to earn the money needed to simply survive. 

Farmers have many manual labor and machine skills that can benefit them in the workplace. Additionally, they are usually people who are proficient at handling the financial and technical aspects of being in business. Many of these farmers represent an untapped human resource as far as the labor market goes. With the tobacco settlements and the lesser demand for tobacco, many farmers have quit farming and have begun to seek paid employment elsewhere. 

We will work with the local extension offices, state officials, and state universities to provide technical assistance to farmers and to research alternative crops targeted toward small family farms. There is money available through the tobacco settlement fund to assist local farmers in changing their crops or creating businesses that employ farmers. They simply need help understanding the process of accessing that money and the knowledge and assistance to create a business plan. Currently, Owsley County has $396,272 in the local share of Phase I Tobacco Settlement Funds that Owsley County residents can apply for to implement these kinds of projects. One application round was completed, however, so far no projects have been approved because the plans have only impacted family members. Breathitt County currently has $198,605 available, Lee County has $126,088 available, and Wolfe County has $340,746 available. 

Additionally, there is a state share which organizations and other entities can apply for to implement other agricultural, medical, or prevention-related programs. We will tap that source for medical equipment that is compatible with the CenterNet video conferencing system to provide access to specialty medical care while not having to travel so far to get there. 

We intend to create and conduct workshops targeting farmers to provide information on alternative crops, agricultural research and access to technical assistance from the University of Kentucky and other research institutions, and other topics of interest in helping farmers become more selfsustaining. We will also assist farmers in writing applications for the county shares of the tobacco settlement money and will provide them access to technical resources that are available to assist them in the implementation of quality agricultural ventures. We will work with the Small Business Development Center from Morehead University to provide workshops to individuals on how to start their own business. 

Additionally, the Action Team will create a marketing program aimed at recruiting farmers who have ideas for projects to participate in these workshops as well as other programs offered through other organizations such as the county extension offices, soil and water conservation district offices, and the University of Kentucky. 

Farmers will be encouraged to research alternative agricultural activities. Representative Marie Rader is working hard to promote the research of and farming of wine grapes. In recent years, several wineries have become operational in eastern Kentucky and north Tennessee and Virginia. Prior to prohibition, it is said that Kentucky was a prime producer of wine grapes in this country. This is being considered as a way of moving tobacco farmers into alternative crops that are in demand. 
Domestic Abuse 
Domestic abuse, as is common among many small, rural communities, is a quite problem for our area. While discussing health issues with doctors and nurse practitioners in Owsley County, they noted that most official statistics show low levels of domestic abuse, however, they seem to treat a lot of cases. Additionally, when shelter is needed in a domestic abuse situation, individuals are usually referred to shelters outside of the area, (1) because we do not have one available locally, and (2) because sometimes it is necessary to keep their location a secret. Additionally, when emergency crisis happen, such as fire, individuals often times have no where to go. 

The Cabinet for Families and Children offers a Relocation Assistance Program available to adult KTAP recipients who need to escape from a domestic violence situation. The number of times families can utilize Relocation Assistance in order to escape domestic violence situations is not limited. A family may get up to $900 in a one-time Relocation Assistance payment for verified moving costs. 

Within the designated zone, the LKLP Safe House is available in Hazard, Kentucky (Perry County) offering a 24-hour crisis line for immediate help, temporary lodging for 30 days at no cost, a safe environment for abused women and their dependent children, information and referrals to legal options, financial aid, housing, and medical services. GED and self-improvement classes are available to residents and former residents. Court advocacy and counseling by Certified Domestic Abuse Violence Counselors is available including hospital advocacy and support groups for nonresidents. Other shelters available include Saras Place in Elliott County and the Resurrection House in Lee County. Additionally, the Cumberland Mountain Outreach assists individuals associated with domestic abuse through the donation of clothing and temporary emergency shelter. 

We see a need for an emergency/domestic abuse shelter within the zone not only to provide area individuals a safe haven, but provide shelter for other counties so that victims location can remain a secret. The local churches are also active and willing to help in domestic abuse situations. Through food pantries and other services, the faith-based organizations assist individuals with necessities and spiritual guidance. 
Housing 
Lack of decent, adequate housing is a problem for many individuals. Low-income apartments are known to remain at capacity with waiting lists used to handle the large number of requests. Rental property is difficult to locate. Should a designation be made, we will develop a plan to identify the most efficient and cost effective manner in which to approach the creation and expansion of housing, including low-income housing facilities throughout the zone. Available housing in general is a problem within the entire zone. Although statistics show several houses vacant, many of these homes are in terrible disrepair and are not considered safe. Some of the homes belong to families who, culturally, like to keep their property within the family. We will recruit real estate companies to build and operate apartments and other housing facilities available to everyone, including low-income individuals. We will work with regional, state, and federal sources to identify ways to improve the availability of low-income housing in the designated zone through the possible creation of a regional housing authority. 

The USDA Rural Housing Service provides local staff to assist individuals in accessing the lowincome housing loan and grant programs available. According to local RUS staff, they are not getting enough applications from Owsley and some surrounding counties for these programs. They are encouraging organizations and other service providers to provide information and referrals for services to low-income individuals involved in their programs. 

The Christian Appalachian Projects is involved in several housing projects including grants and loans for constructing new housing and a program that recruits volunteers to the area to assist individuals with housing improvements such as aluminum siding, insulation, and roof repair. 

In Lee County the Lee County Housing authority coordinates the low-income housing apartment program. The Beattyville Affordable Housing Authority has built and sold over 20 homes. Additionally, the Habitat for Humanity organization is active throughout the zone. 

We will create a marketing piece aimed at individual community members outlining all the benefits of the RC designation and what it means to them. Included in the publication will be a list of all available resources and services available throughout the zone and how they can access these benefits. 
Public Access to Technology 
In order to be successful in what is currently termed as the new economy, individuals must develop computer skills. This area has been involved in bridging the digital divide through the use of public computer programs aimed at improving skills through casual use by the public. All public libraries have public computers available with Internet access. Many individuals utilize these computers for completing homework, research, or communication through e-mail. 
Additionally, The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED), with funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce TOP program, implemented the Choosing to Learn program which provided three public access computers and three laptops for use in a laptop lending program in four eastern Kentucky counties including Owsley and Breathitt. Although the laptop lending program is successful, the expenses relating to public computer dial-up access in country stores was hurtful. Over 1,000 individuals have checked out a laptop to do a variety of tasks. 

Due to the success of the laptop lending program, we will work to increase the number of laptops available through the lending program. Both the Owsley County and Breathitt County Action Teams have served as the lending agents and the computers have been checked out hundreds of times by individuals needing to complete college or high school work, Internet research, work done at home, or for just plain fun. Based on laptop lending experience, we see a need for 20 additional laptops in the lending program. This would add an additional five computers to the Owsley and Breathitt County area and five to start a lending program in Lee and Wolfe.
 
The most difficult obstacle that this area faces in regard to implementing technology programs is staffing. All organizations within the zone find staff funding the most difficult to obtain. For this reason, we propose to place four Vista workers within the zone to assist with the coordination of programs such as PowerUp, laptop lending, and especially distance learning through CenterNet.
Healthcare 
All community residents expressed a need for after-hours and weekend, non-emergency healthcare availability. Currently, many residents must travel more than 45 minutes to reach an emergency room after hours. We will work with local healthcare providers to work out an arrangement to solve this issue. It has been suggested by the community that healthcare providers rotate their services after hours. 

The counties will work together to create a resource directory listing all healthcare providers in the area and what their specialities are. At the same time, industrial development organizations and chambers of commerce will work to recruit specialty physicians to the area. The Breathitt County Action Team will work with the Kentucky River Medical Center to expand the number of beds available. 

Since the inception of CenterNet at the Owsley County Action Team facilities, staff has been working with the Center for Rural Development to expand the uses of the technology. A nurse practitioner and a doctor serving Owsley County are interested in utilizing the CenterNet equipment to conduct medical appointments between themselves, local patients, and specialists in areas such as the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. However, we need additional equipment in order to provide this service.

 A recent article in Readers Digest states that more of the tobacco settlement funds need to be spent on healthcare related programs as it was intended. We intent to apply through the state for funds to expand the equipment needed in order to provide these medical services to the community at all CenterNet facilities within the zone. 

We will also utilize the programs and technical assistance and advice offered through the partnership between HUD and HHS on the EZ/EC/RC programs.

Handicapped accessibility is a critical issue in our area. For instance, in Owsley County, the courthouse doors open to the outside, and the wheelchair ramp is at such an incline that one resident cannot get his wheelchair up that hill unless he is in his motorized chair. Until recently, there were no handicapped accessible restrooms anywhere in Booneville. For this reason, the action team, with funds received from the Steele Reese Foundation, will renovate the library bathroom to make it handicapped accessible and open to the public. Organizations throughout the zone will work toward making handicapped accessibility a priority and work to eliminate these obstacles. 

In addition to all of these programs, the state, regional organizations, and each city and county within the designated area have on-going programs to enhance, improve, and expand the availability of basic local services such as water and sewer service, fire protection, emergency medical services, and police protection as well as improving transportation through bridge and road improvements and expansions. 

Goal 2:  Increase crime reduction strategies, such as crime prevention, including the provision of crime prevention services by non-governmental entities.

Actions: 
•Continue the implementation of 911 services throughout the zone in order to provide a quicker response time. 
• Increase the use of technology and computers to more efficiently monitor and report incidences of crime. 
• Increase the number of crime prevention programs offered throughout the zone. 
• Increase the number of police and deputies throughout the zone. 
• Improve communication between the public and all law enforcement agencies. 
• Increase the number of convictions for crime. 
• Increase the number of alcohol and drug programs available throughout the zone. 
• Enhance and improve the number of recreational activities for people of all ages throughout the zone as a prevention strategy. 
• Continue the on-going economic development efforts within the zone in order to create jobs as a crime prevention strategy. 

Owsley County does not have 911/Dispatch service but is committed to the implementation of this service within two years. 

In Breathitt County, 911/Dispatch service was established in 1995 and is funded through a $1.35 telephone tax per telephone customer per month. They have a 911 Coordinator who works on addressing and mapping with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. The coordinator is currently in the process of doing a GPS survey for more accurate location assistance. State Police Post #13 in Hazard, Kentucky (Perry County) does the dispatching for the county. The Southeast Regional 911 Board was established including county judges, mayors, and 911 coordinators in four counties (Breathitt, Leslie, Knott and Letcher). A portion of the telephone tax goes to this board to pay the State Police for dispatching service and to fund equipment. 

Lee County has a basic 911 dispatch service. It was established in 1990 and is funded by a small telephone tax. They have four dispatchers and two county dispatchers and two part-time dispatchers. They have a 911 Coordinator. 

Wolfe Countys 911/Dispatching service has been established for approximately eight years. It is funded through a 3% telephone tax and the Wolfe County Fiscal Court funds the dispatch staff positions of which there are four. They use Caller ID and all information is taken manually over the telephone.

All areas are dedicated to the improvement and enhancement of 911/Dispatch service in order to more effectively prevent crime and lessen the amount of response time. 

In each county there is a Sheriffs Department and a local city police department. These agencies are primarily responsible for the crime reduction and prevention activities. The Kentucky State Police Post in Richmond serves this area with uniformed troopers. Each county has a county attorney who represents the county on criminal cases. 

In 1998, the City of Booneville received funding through the COPS Universal Hiring Program to create the Booneville Police Department. Currently, there are two police officers working within the city limits. The City of Booneville has since begun paying their salary. Additionally, the City has applied for computer equipment from the Center for Rural Development, special overtime pay during Labor Day weekend from the State of Kentucky, and overtime pay that comes down in March of every year from the state. 

The Beattyville Police Department has received grants from the Kentucky Justice Cabinet to increase the number of radar detectors and cameras in vehicles. 

We will work to increase the number of full-time, uniformed police officers throughout the zone by working with local fiscal courts and state and federal funding sources to secure funding for salaries and benefits. Often, trained law enforcement officers are hired in this area, but due to increased pay elsewhere, they leave, causing the expense of training and hiring new officers. We will also work to increase the amount of pay and benefits for qualified, trained, full-time police officers. 

We will increase the use of computers and technology to more effectively track, monitor, and report the incidence of crime. We will begin working to implement telecommunications services that will allow each law enforcement agency to connect to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to gain quicker access to information regarding suspect individuals and their crime records. 

A local county district judge was interviewed during the process to get his view of crime prevention efforts and what needs to occur to make improvements. He stated that in order to make an adequate judgment relating to a case, he must rely on information received from county and Commonwealth attorneys. Often times, in his view, county and state attorneys do not accept certain complaints and many times the acceptance is based on who a person knows. We asked him what his thoughts were on how to change this practice. He stated that it all boils down to personal responsibility. Every individual and victim has a right and responsibility to see that justice is served. If it is not, they should contact the state Attorney Generals office or the Grand Jury to report any instances of misconduct on the part of enforcement officials taking complaints. 

We will work with local board of education, local law enforcement agencies, local alcohol and drug abuse counseling services, and the Kentucky State Police to implement the DARE program throughout area schools and to provide other appropriate crime, alcohol and drug prevention programs. We will also work with these agencies to improve communication between the public and law enforcement organizations. 

We believe that if families and children had more recreational opportunities, there would be a lesser number of crime incidences and alcohol and drug use. Currently, recreational opportunities are severely limited, however, we are committed to enhancing, expanding, and improving these services as a deterrent to crime. 

The lack of jobs and income is another reason why crimes are committed. We are dedicated to the economic growth and creation of jobs and the improvement of services which will assist individuals in becoming more self-supporting therefore reducing the chances of a person committing a crime. 

Goal 3:  Increase the economic development activities by private entities, organizations, neighborhood organizations, and community groups, particularly those in the Renewal Community, including a commitment from such private entities to provide jobs and job training for, and technical, financial, or other assistance to, employers, employees, and residents from the Renewal Community. 

Actions: 
•Employ adequate, full-time economic development staff throughout the designated zone. 
• Continue to make improvements in the local county and regional industrial parks within the zone. 
• Continue to improve and expand the availability of basic services such as water, sewer, natural gas, and telecommunications. 
• Work with landowners to acquire additional property for business recruitment. 
• Create a dynamic marketing package to promote the zone and available incentives to potential business. 
•Work with the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation, the East Kentucky Corporation, and the State of Kentucky to market speculative buildings located throughout the zone. 
• Continue the speculative building program by building a speculative building every time one is sold. 
• Create a local existing business program in order to provide assistance and services to business already located in the zone. 
• Provide access to entrepreneurial training and small business development programs for individuals and businesses in the zone. 
• Provide locally available access to basic and specific job skills training. 
• Provide assistance to farmers to take advantage of financial and technical resources available. 
• Assess and develop tourism resources and opportunities throughout the zone. 
• Work with local, regional, state, and federal funding and financing sources to assist business with available financing options. 

 In Owsley County, the City of Booneville recently received a grant from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Program to hire a full-time director of the Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority. Although the Authority has been in existence for quite some time, they have never had the funds to hire staff, thus all administrative work was done voluntarily by members of the Authority. 

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the East Kentucky Corporation, the Kentucky River Area Development District, and the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation has been instrumental by providing assistance with acquiring and marketing our industrial parks and speculative buildings. They also bring prospects to visit our communities when they have an idea that our park and buildings would suit their needs. The Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation went a step further by adding expertise and advise during the process of interviewing and hiring a director in Owsley County. However, all have agreed that it is a relief to have a person on staff, full-time, to work hard toward the economic development of our county. 

Each county is committed to creating funding avenues to hire and maintain full-time economic development staff. Our counties are distressed county with very little business, therefore, our budget does not allow funds to help staff the industrial authorities. However, both county and city governments are actively involved in the efforts of the industrial authorities. 

Each county industrial authority and the Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Authority will continue working to install necessary infrastructure to the county and regional industrial parks including roads and water and sewer systems. The Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority is planning to extend natural gas lines and extend fiber optics accessibility to the park. 

The designated area will create a website for business recruitment purposes as well as marketing tourism related opportunities and the zone in general. If designated, we will especially highlight the incentive programs available in designated RC communities. We will work extensively with the Department for Housing and Urban Development and the Department for Health and Human Services to access resources and technical assistance available to appropriately market the incentives. Additionally, we will seek training opportunities to provide local staff with a good understanding of the incentives associated with the RC designation so that we can adequately promote our areas and attract businesses. 

The Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority will create the website and has purchased HomeSite software and Adobe Acrobat in order to create the site, including PDF files for easy downloading of information. 

The Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority will link to and maintain updated information on all regional and state economic development websites and publications to make sure that information on the designated zone is accurate and professionally presented. The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Southern Economic Development Corporation, the East Kentucky Corporation, and the Kentucky River Area Development District have been instrumental by assisting us in the promotion of our areas for economic development by encouraging counties to help them keep the information up to date. 

Each county in the designated zone is part of the Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Authority. This Authority is made up of a board of directors who are appointed by five county judges to oversee a regional industrial park located in Wolfe County (within the designated zone). Representatives regularly attend these meetings to encourage the promotion of the region as a whole, not just the regional industrial park in Wolfe County. 

The Governor has been involved in the marketing efforts of the regional business parks located throughout eastern Kentucky. A marketing video has recently been created as well as a beautiful printed publication entitled Eastern Kentucky: The New Appalachia, featuring all regional industrial parks in eastern Kentucky. 

The 120 acre Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Park is located one mile west of the Campton city limits in Wolfe County. The Mountain Parkway interchange is south of the site via KY 1653 and KY 3039. The Mountain Parkway is a four-lane highway that leads to the I-64 interchange 41 miles northwest of site. The Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky is 70 miles northwest of the site. Water and sewer service are provided by the City of Campton Water and Sewage Company both with 6-inch force main line. Natural gas is available through the Jefferson Gas Transmission Company with a 4-inch line 2,800 feet from the site. Electricity is provided by the Licking Valley Rural Electric Coop. Pine Ridge is already home to the Kentucky Steel Truss Company. The labor market area contains the Wood Utilization Center, as well as Hazard Community and Technical College, Alice Lloyd College, Eastern Kentucky University, and Morehead University. (See Attachment 5: Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Park.)

 Industrial parks are also located in each of the other three counties located within the zone. The 46.9 acre Panbowl Lake Industrial Park is located within the northern city limits of Jackson in Breathitt County. It is zoned industrial and is approximately 1.2 miles from KY15 southwest of the site via Lakeside Drive. The Mountain Parkway is located 22 miles north of the site via KY 15. The nearest commercial airport is the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, located approximately 90 miles from the site. Water and sewer service is provided by the Jackson Municipal Sewer Company with 6-inch and 12-inch water lines serving the site and 8-inch gravity sewer line located 500 feet northwest of the site along Lakeside Drive. Natural gas is provided by the Public Gas Company with a 4-inch line northwest of the site along the southeast side of Lakeside Drive. Electricity is provided by American Electric Power. Breathitt County has a 40,500 square foot speculative industrial building located in the industrial park built in 1998. (See Attachment 6: Panbowl Lake Industrial Park.) 

The Lee County Fiscal Court owns the 27.6 acre industrial park located in Beattyville. The site is located two miles southwest of the southern city limits of Beattyville. The site is adjacent to KY 11 which provides access to the Mountain Parkway 22 miles from the site. The nearest commercial airport is the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington some 82 miles away. Water is provided by the Southside Water Association with a 6-inch line along KY 11 adjacent to the site. Sewer service is provided by the Beattyville Wastewater Treatment Service with an 8-inch gravity line and a 6-inch force main. Natural Gas is provided by the Delta Natural Gas Company with a 4-inch line on the south side of the highway. Electricity is provided by Jackson Energy Cooperative. (See Attachment 7: Lee County Industrial Park.) 

The 77.6 acre Lone Oak Industrial Park is located 1.5 miles south of the City of Booneville in Owsley County on KY 11 South. The nearest commercial airport is the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington approximately 95 miles away. Water and sewer services are provided by the City of Booneville Water and Sewer District with a 6-inch water line and an 8-inch gravity line serving the site. Natural gas is currently not available, however, plans are to seek funding to extend a gas line located approximately seven miles away to the park. Electricity is provided by Jackson Energy Cooperative. The Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority will also seek funding to provide fiber optics services to the park. (See Attachment 8: Lone Oak Industrial Park.) 

The Lone Oak Industrial Park boasts two speculative industrial buildings available for sale or lease. The Owsley County Speculative Building is a 25,920 square foot facility built in 2000 with funds from EDA, the Local Government Economic Development Fund, and the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation. The Lone Oak Industrial Building is a 10,000 square foot building built in 2000 funded through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. In Wolfe County, a 26,500 square foot building is available which formerly housed the Celestica Corporation. 

The area as a whole, will host an annual Recruit the Recruiters day in which all regional, state, and federal officials who assist this area with economic development activities can come, see improvements made, and become updated on projects and activities that promote economic development. The designated zone as a whole will participate in the Performance Measurement System and will utilize this information as a marketing tool to be used in the recruitment of business. The more businesses see is happening in a community, the greater their desire will be to locate there. This area has experience in working with these types of measurement systems. The Breathitt and Owsley County Action Teams are designated Champion Communities by USDA and have participated in the Community Development Benchmarking System used by rural EZ/EC designees and Champion Communities to report progress. Additionally, Owsley and Breathitt Counties were designated Livable Communities during the last year of the Clinton/Gore Administration. 

The entire zone will utilize CenterNet for use in the recruitment of business and working with state and federal officials. 

A marketing piece is planned specifically relating to the RC tax incentives available to business. This will be created utilizing technical resources from HUD, HHS and USDA to creatively design a marketing strategy that suits our area. 

We will conduct a targeted business/industry analysis in order to assist us in identifying what types of businesses would compliment our area. We will utilize the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, the Kentucky River Area Development District, the Cabinet for Economic Development, the Department for Employment Services and others to obtain information already available on regional or state targeted business analysis. We will need help with this study for the zone if a designation is received because we will need to appropriately recruit the kinds of businesses that will fit well with our culture and create jobs that are complimentary to our peoples skills. 

Immediately upon designation, we will work with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation, the East Kentucky Corporation, the Kentucky River Area Development District, USDA and HUD to assist businesses already located in these areas to take advantage of available incentives as soon as the designation is made. 

We will create an Existing Industry Organization whose primary purpose is to meet together with businesses quarterly to discuss issues and needs and to update them on programs and resources available for business and employees. Additionally, we will create and distribute a quarterly newsletter to existing businesses identifying resources and providing up-to-date information on local, regional, state, and federal workforce training opportunities. We will establish an Existing Business of the Year award. The local, regional, and state economic development staff will assist in the selection of the recipient annually based on a set of criteria related to their business activities and involvement in the community. 

We will work with the Morehead State University Small Business Development Center, Lees College Campus of Hazard Community College, area vocational and technical centers, and others to provide businesses and staff with training and technical assistance and information as well as entrepreneurial development workshops to individuals interested in starting their own business. 

Breathitt and Owsley County Action Teams worked with the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development to implement a Business Incubator Feasibility Study to determine whether or not a business incubator would be successful in our area. This project was funded by a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. This project is nearing completion. 

The Owsley County Action Team, in cooperation with the Breathitt County Action Team, conducted a Labor Market Survey throughout four counties. This recently completed survey provides us with an idea of what skills are needed by employers in this area, what skills are currently available, and what kinds of training we need to provide in order to get more individuals skilled in jobs already available locally and regionally. This survey was funded by a USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant. (See Attachment 9: East Central Kentucky Workforce Report.) 

We will work with the Cabinet for Economic Development to utilize and market the states business finance and tax incentive programs currently available. The Kentucky Industrial Development Act (KIDA) is available to qualified companies creating at least 15 new full-time jobs and investing at least $100,000 in approved projects. If they qualify, they may receive state income tax credits up to 100 percent of annual debt service costs for up to ten years on land, buildings, site development, building fixtures, and equipment used in the project, or the company may collect a job assessment fee of three percent of the gross wages of each employee whose job is created by the approved project and who is subject to Kentucky income taxes. 

The Kentucky Rural Economic Development Act (KREDA) is available to business in counties whose average annual unemployment rate has exceeded the state average annual unemployment rate in the five proceeding calendar years or counties whose unemployment rate is 200% of the statewide unemployment rate for the preceding year. Larger tax credits are available for new and expanding manufacturing projects that create at least 15 new first time jobs in Kentucky counties. The project investment must be at least $100,000. Companies with projects approved under KREDA may potentially receive state income tax credits and job assessment fees for up to 100 percent of annual debt service costs for up to 15 years on land, building, site development, building fixtures, and equipment used in the project. 

Owsley County is the only county within the designated zone that does not have KREDA status due to a low unemployment rate. However, we have submitted a proposal to Governor Paul Patton and State Senator Robert Stivers to change KREDA status in officially recognized distressed counties (there are seven counties in Kentucky listed by the U.S. General Accounting Office as distressed counties) based on research indicating that the real unemployment rate, including those discouraged workers who have not been looking for a job within the last four weeks to be counted, is much higher. They have confirmed their commitment to work with us to solve this issue. (See Attachment 10: KREDA Proposal - Owsley County.) 

The state offers many other programs including the Kentucky Jobs Development Act, the Kentucky Economic Opportunity Zone Act, the Kentucky Industrial Revitalization Act, and other income tax credits. Kentucky also offers several financial incentive programs including the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, the Knowledge Based Economy Program, the Research, Innovation, and Technology Businesses Program, the Commonwealth Small Business Development Corporation, the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Linked Deposit Program, the Tax Increment Financing Program, and Industrial Revenue Bonds. 

Kentucky also offers the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation, and the Kentucky Investment Fund Act. They offer economic development programs such as the Local Government Economic Development Fund and a Regional Industrial Park Program, a Utility Incentive Rate Program, a Job Recruitment, Placement, and Training Program, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Kentucky Information Highway, Industrial Location Assistance Program, and the Kentucky Tourism Development Act. 

Kentucky is also proud to offer the Kentucky Enterprise Zone Program, created in 1982, in an effort to bring new development to or to renew development to targeted, economically depressed areas. State and local tax incentives are offered to businesses located or locating in such zones, and some regulations are eased to make development in the area more attractive. A zone remains in effect for 20 years after the date of the designation. (See Attachment 11: Kentucky Enterprise Zone Tax Incentive Program.) 

In addition to state funding and financing sources, there are several regional sources including the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, the Appalachian Investment Corporation, District Development Funds, the East Kentucky Corporation, Human/Economic Appalachian Development Community Loan Fund, Mountain Economic Development Fund, and the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation.

Local county governments can take advantage of the LGEDF Coal Severance Fund for economic development projects to promote the attraction of business. 

All areas in the zone have been concentrating on ways to improve the amount of tourism. This is an ideal way to stir some extra economic benefits while working to create business and jobs. 

All areas have a unique history and culture and have places in their communities that could serve as possible tourist attractions. If educational and interesting attractions were created, some tourists will steer themselves off the beaten path to take a look. With recent tragic events in our country, tourists are likely to look toward small towns for vacation sites. 

All communities within the zone are committed to participation in the State Department of Travel and the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Association. These are state and regional tourism organizations where funding can be obtained to create or enhance tourist attractions and events. We will all identify several projects within our communities, create marketing packages to promote them, and work to quickly get them implemented so that we can prepare to increase economic opportunities through an increase in tourism activity by next summer. 

Goal 4: Offer as a gift, or sell at below fair market value, surplus real property held by state or local governments, such as land, homes, and commercial or industrial structures in the Renewal Communities to neighborhood organizations, community development corporations, or private companies. 

Actions: 
• Continue working with neighborhood and community development groups to improve and enhance the use of county and city-owned property to better serve the community. 
• Work with state, county, and city governments to analyze property holdings and determine uses for any surplus property available. 
• We will work together to create an innovative incentive plan using industrial property and buildings to attract business and create jobs. 

Our counties have a history of contributing land to neighborhood organizations, community development corporations, and private companies. We boast several community parks throughout the zone offering recreational activities to our people. Community organizations throughout the zone utilize county or city owned property and buildings to provide their services. 

For example, in Owsley County, the Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority sold property, below fair market value, to the Southfork Retirement Center, an assisted living facility located adjacent to the nursing home. Additionally, in order to attract the first business into the park, the Authority, as an incentive, provided land to the Image Entry company at no cost. 

We will work with state, county, and city governments to analyze property holdings and determine uses for any surplus property available. Based on the results from the analysis, we will work to implement programs to utilize any surplus property in a manner that will be the most beneficial for the governments involved. 

County, regional, and state economic development organizations will work together to create a unique, innovative incentive plan utilizing industrial property and speculative buildings, to encourage business and create jobs. 
RECOGNITION OF PAST EFFORTS 
RECOGNITION OF PAST EFFORTS 
The Commonwealth of Kentucky, many regional organizations, and the cities and counties within the designated area have been working hard to improve the conditions of our counties and to provide individuals with the necessary means to become self-sufficient. Again, there are many programs, too numerous to mention, that have been completed or are on-going that contribute to our growth. The following list provides a few examples. 

In the past few years, Kentucky has implemented many beneficial programs that assist communities and individuals to become self-sufficient. In 1996, Kentucky unveiled a new welfare reform plan, entitled the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP), and reformed the Workers Compensation System. 

K-TAP offers incentives to employers who will train and hire welfare recipients and provide affordable child care. The plan also offers subsidized employment opportunities for qualified participants as a way to encourage a transition to economic independence. State government works with local communities to place people in workfare jobs or community service. These opportunities will provide valuable experience to the participants and satisfy new federal work requirements as well. 

One of the most innovative aspects of the K-TAP plan is a diversion program, called Family Alternatives. Under this program, participants found to need only temporary assistance will be able to obtain benefits just long enough to avert a crisis, reducing the danger of dependence and allowing the state to spend its limited welfare funds on families facing more long-term difficulties.

 Kentucky will attempt to place participants deemed work ready in unsubsidized employment within six months. Because Kentucky recognizes the value of education, participants previously enrolled in post-secondary education through the states Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program will be allowed to continue that education for up to 12 months. After that, they may continue only if they are engages in at least 20 hours per week of work activity. Up to six weeks of job search will be counted as work-related activity. 

Kentucky approved a historic piece of legislation that made dramatic reforms in the Kentucky Workers Compensation System. Under the new legislation, the workers compensation system became less adversarial and more of an administrative system. Workers Compensation awards are based on medical evidence determined by the professional staff of one of the states two medical schools. The occupational disability will be determined by objective criteria that will leave little doubt about what is due the injured worker. The new law cuts workers compensation costs to noncoal industries by 11 percent and will reduce the cost to the coal industry by an estimated 22 percent. Workers will save about $30 million in unnecessary medical and legal bills, but will still be able to go to their own doctors and hire lawyers, if they choose to do so. 

In 1997, the Office of Coal County Development was created to assist coal producing counties to diversify their economies beyond coal. The new office is attached to the Secretarys Office in the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, and oversees the Local Government Economic Development Program (LGEDP). 

Coal producing counties first started receiving a share of coal severance tax receipts in 1992 to help them diversity their local economies beyond coal. At that time, the Local Government Economic Development Fund (LGEDF) was created to provide grants of coal severance tax revenues to make counties attractive to new manufacturing and service industries, as well as to help existing businesses expand. Each coal producing county is allotted a portion of the LGEDF money for use exclusively in that county, and a portion is set aside for multi-county or regional projects. Each county within the designated zone has utilized LGEDF grants to create industrial park and construct infrastructure. A portion of this money is set aside for business training incentives. Each county used a portion of their LGEDF funds to form the Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Authority and purchase the industrial park located in the City of Campton in Wolfe County within the zone. (See Attachment 12: Individual County LGEDF Spreadsheets.) 

The state also restructured the Department for Local Government to make it more accessible and to lessen the red tape. Support services will increase technology to eliminate much of the paperwork now required. Local officials will be able to use the Internet to file grant and loan applications. 

Also during 1997, the state lowered vehicle property taxes. The Kentucky Revenue Cabinet began using the trade-in value of cars and trucks for assessing property taxes, effective January 1, 1998. 

The state hired the first Chief Information Officer for the state. The EMPOWER Kentucky initiative identified a need for a strategic approach to the planning and implementation of technology throughout state government. This new officer directs and implements the Strategic Information Technology Plan to insure coordination of the states technology efforts. 

In 1998, Kentucky became the first state to create its own commission under the recommendations of the National Commission on Small Farms. The commission will comprise a group of farmers from every corner of Kentucky representing all sectors of the agricultural economy. They will examine the issues confronting Kentuckys family farms and make recommendations to the Governor, the legislature, and the Kentucky Congressional delegation on policies and programs for the future of Kentuckys family farms. 

Kentucky also formed a task force to analyze Kentuckys adult education system. The Task Force on Adult Education is made up of six members appointed by the Senate, six appointed by the House of Representatives, and six by the governor. The governor chairs the task force. They develop recommendations and an implementation plan for raising the literacy level and educational attainment of Kentuckys adults who have not graduated from high school or who have poor literacy skills. 

Senate Bill 21 was passed, enabling high school students who maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average to earn state scholarship money to Kentucky institutions of postsecondary education. This is an added incentive for young people to pursue their education, and the grants help them devote those four years of college to learning. House Bill 469 guarantees that teachers will get an automatic cost of living adjustment in their wages to account for inflation. It is not a raise. Kentucky is ensuring that teachers will maintain their purchasing power or will not take a pay cut. Finally, the Kentucky Childrens Health Insurance Program (K-CHIP), Senate Bill 128, was passed which provides $13 million in state funds to secure $50 million in federal aid for children of the working poor to access health benefit coverage. House Bill 142 was passed giving the courts and social workers broader abilities to intervene in abusive homes. Under the old law, emergency removal of a child from a family required proof of imminent danger. Now the system can also act to protect the child when there is evidence of repeated physical injury or emotional harm, and in situations where the child is in immediate danger because the parent has failed to act. The law also sets new grounds for termination of parental rights and expedites the procedures for terminating those rights by setting time limits for court action. 

Kentucky was the first in the nation when, in 1998, they linked all victim advocates by computer. The new system, called V-Net, created a computer network to link every victim advocate in Kentucky, including advocates in prosecutors offices, rape crisis centers, spouse abuse shelters and child protection agencies. Through this network advocates are able, for the first, time to directly access Kentuckys victim notification system to locate where a dangerous offender is incarcerated or to register a victim to be notified. V-net also provides critically needed support to advocates by giving them immediate access to information with which they can assist victims information like where the nearest protective shelter is locates; how Kentucky law can protect a child; where a forensic rape exam can be conducted; and much more. 

In 1999, Kentucky became one of the first states to offer an Internet service specifically designed to assist our business entrepreneurs. The One-Stop Business Licensing Program is designed to greatly simplify the maze of regulatory red tape all new business owners experience. It allows entrepreneurs to go on-line to determine which of over 600 state licenses or permits are needed for their particular business. The service immediately identifies the specific state licenses required for each of over 1,800 business types. 

The Cabinet for Workforce Development established an Education Pays Scholarship for customers of the cabinets wide range of employment and training programs and services. To be eligible, applicants must be a customer of at least one of the cabinets services, which includes adult education, vocational rehabilitation programs, unemployment insurance, job search, the Job Training Partnership Act, or secondary technical education, among others. Applicants must also be Kentucky residents and provide proof of enrollment in a postsecondary educational institution.

 The Kentucky Resource Directory, the first of its kind in the country, is online and just a click of the mouse away. The directory is an Internet database of some forty-five thousand services available in the state, at the federal, state, local, and private level. Whether you are looking for a job or looking for a summer camp for kids, residents can locate the information online. This Empower Kentucky initiative is designed to bring together people and resources in the most efficient way. Kentuckys website is the only one in the country that offers private as well as public agency information from an estimated fourteen-thousand providers. Individuals can find phone numbers, detailed maps, even photographs of the buildings where the service is located. The information was first compiled by the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts, beginning in 1997, and Kentuckys Cabinets for Families and Children, Health Services, Workforce Development, Department of Information Systems, and Jefferson Countys Community Resource Network compiled additional electronic data. 

Kentuckys food stamp program switched from paper to debit cards to reduce fraud, save time, and reduce the stigma of using food stamps. The pilot project started in Anderson, Woodford, Fayette, Franklin, and Shelby counties. The program was then implemented throughout the state. The cabinet will save up to a million dollars per year in reduced postage and administrative costs previously spent on sending stamps every month. Fraud is reduced because the specially coded cards will not allow users to buy non-food items or get change to spend on ineligible items. And, theft will be less appealing because the cards require the use of a personal identification number. 

Kentucky high school students can go online with Internet access to advanced courses in foreign languages, math, and science. The Kentucky Virtual High School is the first project of its kind in the world. The Virtual High School gives students everywhere in the state the opportunity to take challenging advanced courses not available at their local high school. 

The KVHS has two corporate partnerships. One with Class.com, Inc., to use secondary courses developed by the Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Nebraska with a $17 million Star Schools Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The other partnership is with eCollege.com, which creates Internet education solutions, to bring online education to the classroom and to the distance-learning student. The state has also implemented the Kentucky Virtual Library and the Kentucky Virtual Adult Education System. 

In 2000, House Bill 706 was passed creating a multi-faceted program to provide for the education and healthy development of Kentuckys youngest citizens. The KIDS NOW initiative is a historic first step toward the responsibility we have to helping families and communities make sure that each and every child reaches their full potential in the first few year of life. 

The Kentucky Innovations Commission was created by the enactment of House Bill 572 and will be the primary advisor to state policymakers on issues related to Kentuckys competitiveness in the new economy. The New Economy Initiative proposes several steps over the biennium to further develop the knowledge-based Kentucky. In order to be a player in the fast-moving, global, hightech economy of the 21st century, we will have to improve the way we educate our people, train our workers, and grow our businesses. 

Kentucky Access was created to offer attractive savings and health insurance choices for individuals with high-cost medical conditions. The program has already created a business environment where two insurers have returned to Kentucky, offering competitive choices for the entire individual market of over 100,000 farm families, self-employed, and working Kentuckians who must buy their own health insurance coverage. 

This year has been a productive year in the State of Kentucky. In an effort to attack the proliferation of Kentuckys newest drug of choice, an Oxycontin Task Force was created to combat the use and contain the spreading abuse of the prescription drug. Now more popular than marijuana and cocain, the illegal use of Oxycontin, particularly in eastern Kentucky, has reached nearly epidemic proportions. In eastern Kentucky alone, more than 30 people have died in the last year. In addition to the physical danger of the drug, its cost, popularity, and addictive nature has caused a drastic increase in property crime, home invasion, assault, and robberies by addicts attempting to supply their habit. 

The Governor signed an Executive Order creating the Certified Clean County Program. The state will provide existing resources as an incentive to help counties clean up their illegal dumps and adopt a mandatory solid waste collection service to keep their county clean and dump free. Under the program, the state will reimburse eligible counties for 75% of the direct expense of cleaning up illegal dumps. 

The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet will provide assistance to participating counties in identifying illegal dumps and estimating the cost of cleaning them up. The Cabinet will also provide staff to monitor and assist in the clean up effort and inspect and re-certify the county as dump free on an annual basis. Once all dumps are cleaned up, the county will be designated a Certified Clean County and the state will pay for, install, and maintain a Certified Clean County sign at each entrance to the county. These counties will also gain extra points when applying for grants and get priority for funds from the Division of Conservation State Cost Share Program and the Waste Tire Trust Fund. To be eligible, counties must mandate a curbside solid waste collection service requiring all residents and businesses to use the service and pay for it. 

Citing the need to maintain and maximize Kentuckys low-cost energy advantage, an Executive Order was signed creating the Kentucky State Energy Policy Advisory Board to develop a coordinated statewide energy policy. The Board will study energy markets throughout the country and internationally and devise a strategy for maximizing Kentuckys low-cost advantages in supplying affordable and reliable power. The Board will also coordinate energy related programs throughout the state and recommend to the Governor and General Assembly programs and strategies to improve energy related efforts. 

Governor Patton announced the creation, by Executive Order, of a bipartisan, 35-member Smart Growth Task Force to study growth and development issues in the Commonwealth. This task force will study how a more strategic approach to growth management can enhance Kentuckys future, working to elevate smart growth as a public policy issue statewide and conducting a thorough review of Kentucky statutes, regulations, and programs that relate to growth. They will also identify possible incentives to assist our local governments in instituting model smart growth principles within their government operations, as well as looking at the smart growth planning of other states. The task force will issue a report next year that will be used to set a framework for the incorporation of smart growth principles within state and local government. 

In August, the Governor released the names and star ratings for 77 childcare programs that voluntarily participated in a pilot project for Kentuckys new quality rating system for childcare programs. The rating system, called STARS for KIDS NOW, is part of Kentuckys early childhood initiative signed into law last year to help ensure positive outcomes for Kentuckys young children. These childcare programs were rated for adherence to a four-tier set of standards that are based on what research shows to be good practices for children. Lower staff to child ratios, greater levels of staff education and training, increased opportunities for family involvement, and age-appropriate curriculum planning are all part of the rating criteria. Childcare providers in two of the counties in the identified RC zone earned the first STAR award this year. In Breathitt County, the Montessori House for Children and Miller II and Miller III earned the award on levels two and three. In Owsley County, the Owsley County Early Childhood/Head Start earned the award. 

In addition to the many state projects, the local cities and counties throughout the identified zone have been working hard to prepare our area for growth. To be brief, we completed program surveys on projects implemented during the last eight years to meet the outlined goals. 

Breathitt County currently has three bridges that are being funded by the State of Kentucky. Two are presently under contract to be built and one is in the design stage. Many county roads have been re-built in an effort to make them easier to maintain. 

Breathitt county, this year, established its own water district board in an effort to expand water services throughout the county. Twenty projects have been identified under the plan presently submitted to the state through the Breathitt County Long Range Water Supply Plan. The first project proposed is the Highland Turner line, which is now under design by the districts engineers.

 Breathitt County is also working through the Transportation Safety Committee of the Kentucky River Area Development District to devise a plan to be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Transportation for the improvement and upgrading of the road system in Breathitt County. 

The Jefferson Hotel Skills Center has been funded and is in the process of major renovation work at the old hotel. The county utilized many funding sources, including the LGEDF coal severance funds, to finance the creation of this center. 

In an effort to clean up streams and rivers in the county, Breathitt has begun working with the Corps of Engineers in what is known locally as the Hardshell Caney Sewer Project which is an effort to find a solution to small communities who do not have access to city sewer systems and do not have a working septic system. 

Breathitt County purchased 32 acres of property to create the Pan Bowl Lake Industrial Park and finished construction on a 40,000 square foot speculative industrial building in its recently developed industrial park. They are members of the Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Authority and the Coal Fields Regional Industrial Authority in an effort to attract business. 

The City of Jackson extended sewer service along Kentucky Highway 15 to allow for industry expansion and to serve the Kentucky Community Care complex. They also funded an entire water system to replace the Highland Avenue Water Tank which had been torn down approximately seven years ago. They added a new tank to serve the Kings Ridge area of town due to low water pressure. They also replaced all the valves at the Quicksand Tank. To ensure water quality, the City of Jackson conducted a water quality analysis for 183 residents. They also implemented a water treatment plan project in March of this year that, upon completion, will provide water and sewer service to 2,200 customers. 

The City of Jackson will soon start a renovation project at City Hall including a new town hall meeting room. In April, they also implemented a Kentucky Renaissance program to completely renovate the downtown area. 

The Lee County Industrial Park was created in 1998 consisting of the development of 28.6 acres located on state Highway 11 approximately three miles south of Beattyville. The major elements of the project included site clearing and grading and the construction of 11,040 linear feet of 8" water main, 10,800 linear feet of 8" gravity sewer lines, 4,500 linear feet of 6" force main, and four sewage pump stations. In 2000, the Beattyville Water Storage Tank was built to store 300,000 gallons of water. Lee County has also been in the process of a major sewer expansion. 

Additionally, the City of Beattyville Police Department and the Lee County Sheriffs Department have received COPS grants within the last year to add one full-time deputy position, radar and cameras in city police cars, and a grant from the Center for Rural Development to improve technology use in the Sheriffs Department by providing laptop computers to each deputy and other technology equipment. 

In 1995, the Owsley County Fiscal Court and the Booneville/Owsley County Industrial Authority purchased 91.829 acres of industrial property. These funds included site acquisition, site appraisal, and site development. In 2000, they developed a master plan for the park, constructed additional access roads, and built signage for the park. Also in 2000, funding was secured to install infrastructure in the park including a 300,000 gallon elevated water tank, 3,800 feet of 8" water main, and a pump station for the additional acres. 

An additional 229.5 acres of land was purchased by the Booneville/Owsley County Industrial authority to create an emergency/alternative water supply for the Owsley County area. They are researching the feasibility of creating a golf course on that property in order to attract tourism. 

In 2000, the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation, with funds from EDA, assisted Owsley County by building a 25,000 speculative industrial building in the industrial park. SKEDC assists the Authority with marketing the building. Another 10,000 square foot industrial building was built with ARC funds and LGEDF funds. 

Other projects in Owsley County and the City of Booneville that have been completed or are ongoing include water line extension, the construction of a wastewater treatment facility, sewer extension, and water tanks and lines in two locations. The City of Booneville created the City of Booneville Police Department including two officers, 2 bullet proof vests, a police car video system, and police weapons. They also received a grant to purchase a fire truck for the Booneville Volunteer Fire Department. The County also received a grant to purchase an ambulance for Allens Ambulance Service. 

As a result of Owsley Countys participation as a Champion Community and a Livable Community, a grant was received from USDA to hire a full-time economic developer. They also received an ARC Flex-E grant for technical strategic planning. 

Owsley County has also submitted its twenty-year water and sewer implementation plan to the state and is in the process of a sewer extension project which will include the industrial park. 

Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe Counties are members of the Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Authority. In 2000, each county utilized a portion of their LGEDF funds to purchase a 125 acre regional business park. This project included the extension of water and sewer service to the park and site development. Fifteen acres was donated to the regional industrial authority by the Wolfe County Industrial Authority. Kentucky Steel Truss has located in the park and created approximately 25 jobs. This is the only industrial park within the designated zone that is located adjacent to a four-laned highway, the Mountain Parkway, which provides access to I-64 leading to I-75 in Lexington. 

Copies of the project surveys are attached along with state press releases describing state programs implemented in the last few years. All counties and the State of Kentucky have plans for other projects. All counties will be working to implement their twenty year water and sewer plans and many county and state roads have been upgraded or are in the planning process of renovations. (See Attachment 13: Renewal Communities Project Surveys.) 

Additionally, the state and each county within the zone have on-going projects and programs aimed at the economic improvement of the state and our communities including the LGEDF Coal Severance program, state financial , tax, and training incentive programs, childcare, K-TAP, KCHIP, adult education programs, social service programs, and many more. 

We are all dedicated to continuing our efforts to build economically viable, self-sufficient communities that provide services needed by individuals to assist them in becoming self-supporting. As one city mayor stated, We have planned, and planned, and planned! Now is the time to start doing. If an RC designation was awarded to us, we are confident and prepared to take full advantage of all the benefits and to make sure that our people take advantage of all the opportunities that become available to become and remain employed. 
Timeline 
TIMELINE 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND EVALUATION
 PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND EVALUATION
 As with any successful program, we are committed to making sure that every individual has an opportunity to benefit from the RC designation. With that in mind, we have set performance measures to work toward in order to evaluate our progress and to provide information to the public concerning the numbers of people being served and the kinds of services they are receiving. We will not only use this as an evaluation method, but as a motivational method to encourage others to take advantage of the opportunities. 

The following tables describe our performance measures for each goal and action. 

Goal 1: To increase the level and efficiency of local services within the Renewal Community, such as services for residents funded through the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and related Federal programs including, for example, job support services, child care and after school care for children of working residents, employment training, transportation services, and other services that help residents become economically self-sufficient. 

Performance Measures:
•One hundred individuals will complete the Steps to Success Welfare-to-Work Training Program offered through the Owsley County Action Team. 
•One low-income individual will benefit from a Vista position at the Owsley County Action Team coordinating computer lab and CenterNet programs. 
• One hundred individuals will benefit from workshops sponsored through the Owsley County Action Team technology center. 
•Twenty-five different training programs will be offered by video conference through the use of CenterNet. 
•Twenty individuals will utilize computers for home-based work in the data entry profession. 
•Fifteen regularly scheduled community college or university courses will be offered by video conference throughout the zone utilizing CenterNet. 
•Ten different training opportunities will be hosted at the Jefferson Hotel Skills Center after renovations are complete. 
•One staff person will be hired to coordinate the Fund for Excellence Program in Owsley County. 
•Participation by students in the Fund for Excellence will increase by 20%. 
•The number of students graduating from high school will increase by 20%. 
•One Job Skills Training Resource Directory will be created. C Enrollment in childcare will increase by 15%. 
•Quarterly Agricultural Diversification Workshops will be conducted throughout the zone. 
•One hundred farmers and other individuals will complete Agricultural Diversification Workshops. C Housing opportunities will increase by 25%. 
•Five hundred individuals will utilize the laptop lending program for skill training. 
•Ten medical clinics will become involved in after-hours and weekend non-emergency medical care programs. 
•Five hundred individuals will benefit from the availability of after-hours and weekend nonemergency medical care. 
•All CenterNet facilities throughout the zone will acquire medical equipment for use in specialty medical appointments by video-conference. 
•Fifty individuals will benefit from medical appointments by video conference. 
•Water and sewer services will be expanded to serve 20% more people every two years. 
•Five new fire departments will be created throughout the zone. 

Goal 2: 
•Increase crime reduction strategies, such as crime prevention, including the provision of crime prevention services by non-governmental entities. Performance Measures: 
•Emergency 911/Dispatch will become available throughout Owsley County and will be expanded and improved in Breathitt, Lee, and Wolfe counties. Twelve full-time, uniformed police officer positions will become available throughout the zone.  
•Each police department throughout the zone will utilize state-of-the-art technology, including the NCIC system. 
•Ten arrests will occur due to the availability of information through the NCIC system. 
•The DARE program will be incorporated in every school within the zone. 
•Twenty new recreational programs will be created throughout the zone. 

Goal 3:
Increase the economic development activities by private entities, organizations, neighborhood organizations, and community groups, particularly those in the Renewal Community, including a commitment from such private entities to provide jobs and job training for, and technical, financial, or other assistance to, employers, employees, and residents from the Renewal Community. 

Performance Measures: 
•At least three full-time economic developer positions will remain funded throughout the zone. 
•A website will be created for business recruitment. 
•Fifty companies will seek further contact based on information received from the website. 
•Twenty-five new businesses will be attracted to the zone. 
•One thousand jobs will be created. 
•Two speculative industrial buildings will be sold or leased. 
•Three speculative industrial buildings will be constructed. 
•Annual Recruit the Recruiters days will be held within the zone. 
•CenterNet will be used twenty-five times for business recruitment purposes. 
•Five businesses already located throughout the zone will take advantage of incentives immediately. 
•Quarterly entrepreneurial and small business training programs will be provided throughout the zone. 
•Two hundred individuals will attend entrepreneurial and small business training programs throughout the zone. 
•KREDA status will be re-instated in distressed counties in Kentucky, including Owsley County. 
•Ten new tourism related opportunities will be created. 
•Tourism will cause an increase of 10% in county and city budgets. 

Goal 4: 
Offer as a gift, or sell at below fair market value, surplus real property held by state or local governments, such as land, homes, and commercial or industrial structures in the Renewal Communities to neighborhood organizations, community development corporations, or private companies. 

Performance Measures: 
•Ten pieces of industrial property will be sold at below fair market value based on criteria set by the industrial authorities according to the amount invested and the number of jobs created. 
•Five site preparation grants will be awarded as a local incentive. 

All of the main participants in the implementation of the strategic plan have experience with problems and obstacles that occur in the implementation of any project. What is important is that they learn from their mistakes and find solutions to make things better. We are dedicated to identifying all problems, outlining the lessons learned from the problem, and using that list to make changes that alleviate those problems and enhance the strategic plan. We are also dedicated to making the public aware of the successes that will occur as a motivational method of involving even more people. 

We will conduct a quarterly survey among organizations involved in the work to identify any problems and obstacles. This survey will include a section to list the lessons learned in overcoming these problems. This list will be used to create a lessons learned publication that other groups and areas outside the zone could utilize to keep themselves from going through the same mistakes. This will also be used in the evaluation of our programs. 

These survey results, and the input received by the public, will be used to make revisions to the implementation methods and procedures. If changes need to occur, we will outline the method of change and the procedures to be taken to make that change occur. 

Although the CoRA will be making recommendations for change in the implementation methods and procedures, before these changes are finalized, they will be brought before the public through local newspapers and public service announcements on local radio and television stations for a period of two weeks. After two weeks, if no negative comments on the change were received by the public, the changes will be implemented. 

It is the desire of all of us that the public have input into every aspect of this designation and its implementation. We have committed to settle for nothing less. Every person counts and their input is considered valuable. Not only does this give the public the assurance that they are going to be included in the process, it also shows a deep respect for individual people, not just the "community." 

We will create and approve a spreadsheet for use in tracking performance measure progress. Each organization involved in the implementation of any projects related to the designation will appoint one staff person to complete the spreadsheet listing any progress and successes. Additionally, these organizations will provide information on any outside funding received that is not directly related to the designation. 

This information will be gathered by the CoRA. They will compile this information and provide a complete update for input into the Performance Measurement System. 

Semi-annually, we will conduct public meetings to review progress in order to get the communities 59 idea of how we are doing and whether or not we need to change focus. As projects are on-going, monthly we will publish press releases documenting the progress and how many individuals are being served. 

Owsley and Breathitt Counties, as Champion Communities, have utilized the USDA Community Development Benchmark Management System for the past two years as part of the requirements for this designation. We have experience in tracking performance through a variety of projects implemented during the course of this designation. Additionally, required quarterly reports to private foundations have been completed on a number of projects in the past. (See Attachment 14: Breathitt and Owsley County Champion Community Benchmark System Report.) 

The CoRA will be the ultimate responsible party for making revisions to the implementation methods and procedures. If changes need to occur, the CoRA will outline the method of change and the procedures to be taken to make that change occur. Before these changes are finalized, they will be brought before the public through local newspapers and public service announcements on local radio and television stations for a period of two weeks. After two weeks, if no negative comments on the change were received by the public, the changes will be implemented. 

If the specified change requires a more immediate response, the CoRA will either make the emergency decision or will publish these events outlining the need to provide responses more quickly. 

Throughout this process, the most obvious issue identified was that individuals want to know what is happening in their communities. This historical lack of information is what has caused the serious negative perception and image problems associated with rural areas. As committed as we were in involving our entire communities in the planning process, we are as committed to making sure that from now on, our people are aware of what leaders are doing to improve their quality of life and economic opportunities and what benefits are available to them. 

Throughout this process we stressed that if a persons needs are not being met, we want them to come and ask us why. They have a right to know why they are not being served. 

Immediately, we will create a visually appealing document which will be presented to the fiscal courts and city councils and published or inserted in every area newspaper so that community individuals have an opportunity to learn about the benefits of the RC designation. 

We will utilize available technology to create a website featuring detailed and comprehensive information on services available. Technology has become an important part of our rural communities. In order to bridge the digital divide that exists in our communities, public computer programs have been implemented which provide our people with access to the Internet and electronic communication. We will enhance these programs and expand the availability of public computer technology so that more individuals have access to information. 

We will encourage residents with e-mail addresses to provide this information in order to be included in a community listserv which will provide information and updates on services, training 60 and job opportunities, and workshops currently available. 

For those who do not have access to computers, monthly updates will be published in all area newspapers and disseminated through agencies such as the Cabinet for Families and Children and other non-profit groups offering services to community individuals. 

Annually, we will host a large public meeting to evaluate progress during the year.