From the Executive Director's Desk

As we transition into the summer months, we are thrilled about the opportunities ahead. As previously mentioned, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is administering House Bill 723 (the GRANT Program of 2024), and we are proud to partner with them to help bring essential federal funding to communities throughout the Commonwealth.

The new GRANT program includes the following changes:

• By ending the previous GRANT Program on April 15, 2024, all pending applications are null and void—a new application will be required
• Eligible grant recipient is defined as a county, city or 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization instead of a public agency or nonprofit entity
• Includes a local match requirement based upon a county population ranking as calculated by a formula outlined in the statute
• Modifies the scoring and evaluation criteria
• Removes the requirement for a project to be located in a priority community

Over the past month, the Cabinet has introduced several tools to assist local governments in securing GRANT Program funds. These resources include the GRANT Program scoring criteria, a program fact sheet, frequently asked questions, and more. To date, two informational webinars have been conducted. All of this information is readily available at ced.ky.gov/GRANT.

While the Cabinet is administering the GRANT Program and the matching funds, please remember they are not the point of contact for questions or technical assistance regarding the program or the federal programs we aim to secure. That's just one of the areas where the ADDs come in. To ensure clear and consistent information, each ADD has assigned a single point of contact for GRANT Program inquiries. For elected officials and others already working with their ADD, you should be familiar with the designated representative. If not, you can find a list of the ADD representatives here.

As always, you're welcome to contact me or Molly at the KCADD office by calling (502) 875-2515. 

As a reminder, the KCADD will conduct its next quarterly meeting in conjunction with the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association and Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association's 38th annual Joint Summer Conference. The KCADD meeting will begin at 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington. Be on the lookout for more information. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Casey Ellis

Executive Director

Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts

Kentucky Association of District Directors

BRADD assists Warren Fiscal Court in expanding offerings at Ephram White Park Senior Center

From Bowling Green Daily News

With leverage from some grant funding procured by the Barren River Area Development District, Warren Fiscal Court is taking steps to expand the offerings at the Ephram White Park Senior Center.

County magistrates on Thursday voted to allocate $10,000 in matching funds to enter into an agreement with BRADD to begin the request-for-proposal and design phase for a joint regional kitchen facility that will be an addition to the park's existing senior center.

BRADD, which serves a 10-county region, is providing $80,000 in grant funding for the design phase of a project that Warren County Parks and Recreation Director Chris Kummer says will serve multiple counties. Continue reading.

LTADD hosts Senior Celebration

From the News-Enterprise

No senior discount was needed as hundreds, age 60 and above, gathered for a day of fun, food, music and information.

The Senior Celebration, held Thursday at Pritchard Community Center in Elizabethtown, is a free event hosted by Lincoln Trail Area Development District as a way to celebrate Older Americans Month.

“Almost every seat is full,” said Kendra Saltsman, co-coordinator of the event. “They like the fellowship.”

On one side of the center were tables of about 40 vendors, from assisted living facilities, retirement opportunities and healthcare services, sharing information with guests. Continue reading.

NKWhy: What is the NKY Area Development District? And what do they do?

From LinkNKY

“Community development” is what Northern Kentucky Area Development District Executive Director Tara Johnson-Noem said is the true purpose of the organization. 

A collaboration between local leaders in Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton counties, the development district works to “address big issues that don’t make sense for an individual city or county to handle on their own,” said Johnson-Noem. 

The group, which is part of a larger organization of 15 development districts throughout the state, focuses on three main areas: aging and disability services, local government services and workforce development. It is also the fiscal agent for the NKY Office of Drug Control Policy. Continue reading.

BTADD assists Frontier Housing Inc. in leveraging federal money to revitalize former Hayswood Hospital property

From The Ledger Independent

Frontier Housing Inc. has been working with city, county, and state officials, along with staff from Buffalo Trace Area Development District, to leverage federal money that would assist in revitalizing the former Hayswood Hospital property.

Hayswood Hospital, located on West Fourth Street in downtown Maysville, was built in the 1920s and renovated several times. After the opening of Meadowview Regional Medical Center in 1983, the former Hayswood property went through three different owners, with little to zero improvements, causing the property to essentially become abandoned. Continue reading.

Bike Award and Safe Streets for All in the Bluegrass

Bluegrass Area Development District's Regional Transportation Planner David Gambrel has been on the road in recent days promoting the message of safety for bicyclists. For the past decade, Masonic lodges across Kentucky have awarded hundreds of bicycles to deserving students. As an active Lincoln Lodge #60 member in Stanford, Gambrel participates in bike presentations in Lincoln County schools. The Lodge presents one female and one male student at each school adopted by the Lodge with a bike at the respective school's annual Awards Day. To qualify for the bike, a student must have perfect attendance. 

In a recent presentation, Stanford Elementary School Principal Julia Duncan pointed out that while the school likes to recognize perfect attendance, it cannot legally reward students for it. 

"That's where the Masons come in," she said. 

This year, in cooperation with Bike/Walk Kentucky, Gambrel also presented the winning students with safety reflective arm bands and spoke to the students, faculty, and parents about the Bluegrass Area Development District's efforts to promote Safe Streets For All (SS4A).

"We want you to enjoy your bike, but we want you to do so safely," Gambrel told students. 

He suggested that the faculty and parents reach out to Bike/Walk Kentucky on social media for resources to assist the students. 

The Bluegrass Area Development District serves the Kentucky counties of Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Woodford 

KIPDA attends Isaiah House opening in Bullitt County

KIPDA attended the opening of Isaiah House’s newest location at the Hillview Resource Center in Bullitt County. Isaiah House provides addiction treatment and recovery services, including transitional housing, outpatient treatment, employment training programs, and more. Its location at the Hillview Resource Center will facilitate referrals and stronger connections with other community services. 

KIPDA serves the Kentucky Counties of Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble 

Green River ADD celebrates grant award announcements

The Green River Area Development District (GRADD) is celebrating several grant award announcements: 

• $2 million from the Delta Regional Authority Community Infrastructure Fund to the City of Sturgis to rehabilitate its wastewater treatment plant and lift stations. 
• $522,500 from the Kentucky Product Development Initiative to upgrade the Bluegrass Crossings Business Centre in Ohio County. 
• Tire-Derived Product Grant: $75,000 to the Webster County Fiscal Court to create a poured-in-place walking trail at Canaan Ridge Park and $14,800 to the City of Livermore to purchase benches and picnic tables for the Livermore Riverfront and the Depot Park. 
• Land and Water Conservation Fund: $25,000 to the City of Center to add swings, a pavilion, and walking trails to the city park, and $87,680 to the City of Hartford to install playground equipment, resurface a basketball court, and renovate two baseball fields at Ellis Park.

The Green River Area Development District serves the Kentucky counties of Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McClean, Ohio, Union and Webster

Spring Caregiver Conference a success for Pennyrile ADD

The Spring Caregiver Conference was held on May 17, 2024 at the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. The conference was a great success with positive feedback. Trainings for the day included FRYSC Services, Senior Scams and Caring for Individuals with Dementia. Speakers included Mary Lovelace/Christian County Schools, Charlotte Whittaker/AARP Kentucky and Rebekah Wilson/Positive Approach to Caregiving.

Jill Collins, AAAIL Director, also presented on services provided through the Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living.

Caregivers enjoyed a breakfast and lunch buffet, goody bags, and door prizes.

For information on caregiver services, please visit peadd.org or contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 866-844-4396.

The Pennyrile Area Development District serves the Kentucky counties of Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg