By Carolyn Reid
FALMOUTH — Tami Vater, Pendleton County economic and tourism development director, updated the county Fiscal Court on potential 2024 Government Grants totaling approximately $170 million that can be used for city and county needs, 501c(3) nonprofits and other possibilities.
Vater told the court that the county would only have to fill out a simple application and be prepared to match whatever funds it received funds with 3 percent from the county.
Vater said the grants could be used for agriculture, business, public facilities or transportation, recreation, infrastructure or other needs including property purchases. They are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.
Judge/Executive David Fields asked if the county could apply for multiple grants. He indicated an interest in using the grant to put in a new community and senior center.
Magistrate Rick Mineer asked Vater what she would consider top priorities for the county. Vater responded that the county needs better industry, employment and quality of life. She noted businesses in the area who could help — businesses that are already linked to the county, such as Duke and CSX.
She noted the county needs middle class housing and to have something to market to people and businesses so they will come here.
Magistrate Josh Plummer mentioned property on the AA Highway that is not ready for development due to a lack of infrastructure, and he wondered if grant money could be used to move that along.
He also asked about the Industrial Authority just south of town, if the grant could be applied to help make it more attractive to business.
Vater replied those ideas are also feasible.
Plummer also mentioned the desire for a boat dock at the athletic park and work on the Butler bridge.
Magistrate Rick Mineer also stated the need for sewer lines on U.S. 27 in order to build business and housing, and Magistrate Darrin Gregg pointed back to water and wastewater along with other infrastructure needs.
As Vater explained how the money could be used for things our people could use such as gas stations and other stores, Gregg asked for clarification, if the money was federal. Vater confirmed that, and Gregg continued, “When I hear federal grant…ha!”
Vater clarified the money was granted to the state by the federal government, Gregg continued, “I feel the same way about the state as I do the federal.”
Plummer said he understood what Gregg meant and asked if the government would put conditions on what was built if the county would accept it, including who would have to live in any housing that was constructed. Vater then compared it to the ARPA funds which were facilitated by the state.
She said based on even the small size of the grant paperwork, too much emphasis was being placed on the federal while the state was really facilitating the grant. “You are following Kentucky guidelines.”
Plummer stated he wanted to be sure with the grant, the county could make its own decisions.
Gregg interjected: “If it’s the government, the state’s gonna do whatever they want to do.”
Fields asked Vater to check to see if the funding could be used for things such as land purchase, and Gregg once again interjected. “I don’t want Springfield, Ohio, in Pendleton County.”
Vater continued by asking the magistrates about their thought with the grant. Mineer said he wanted to look at the economic impact of land set aside for however the county wants to proceed. He said he feels the grant could give the county a good foundation for growth, and Vater agreed. He agreed the housing would impact restaurants, gas stations, out of the flood plain and all over the county.
Magistrate Alan Whaley said if land was purchased for his area in the northern part of the county, “where the drive back-and-forth isn’t as long,” housing would be a good plan for it.
Vater said the first thing that needs to be established is the availability of work. She encouraged industrial and housing. He mentioned county waterlines would be helpful for more housing while he acknowledged purchasing land would be time-consuming.
Gregg suggested promoting agriculture and those who are trying to promote small businesses. Vater responded that she had handed out five applications for small business tax credits and she received seven.
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She also handed out women-owned business applications.
Next, she said, will be agriculture small business. Farmers have tax credits and funding available as well as loans for beginning farmers.
The magistrates asked more questions regarding recreation and tourism, business and housing with the desire to bring improvements, business, and people into the community. Vater encouraged them to think big and quickly so they could get needed funds, and she explained the scoring is based on community impact.
The magistrates gave Vater her three top priorities so she could prioritize her grant application targets.
CHAMPIONS
Jessica Green of the Champions Opioid Advisory Board presented the Dinner Table Project. The goal of the project is to promote dinner as a family, a practice that is shown to help lower the risks teens face while helping develop resilience, self-esteem, and academic performance, according to the literature she provided.
The event will be 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Pendleton County Extension Office. An RSVP is required. Families with children of all ages are welcome, she said.
Green also promoted a T-shirt fundraiser for Red Ribbon Week in Pendleton County. Shellie Blackburn, a mom whose son Nick passed from a substance abuse disorder, is selling the tee-shirts to raise funds to help students be educated about the dangers of drugs.
In a discussion about ARPA funds, questioning what would have the most impact for the county. While some promoted the idea of water and sewage, Mineer suggested purchasing more land for housing and business, land the county could get return on sooner than later, explaining development would bring in taxes for years to come.
Other ideas were also suggested regarding the athletic park and the fairgrounds.
The meeting on Oct. 8 will introduce a proclamation for October as Domestic Violence Month.
Fields said the county Animal Shelter made a donation request that will be addressed next meeting.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 24 in the upstairs meeting room of the county Courthouse on Main Street.
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