HARLAN, KY — The Harlan County Fiscal Court recently completed the 2017 ARC Flex-E-Grant program, administered by The Center for Rural Development, in order to create a website and logo for the Harlan County Economic Development Authority.
The Harlan County Fiscal Court was awarded $6,900 to work with the Harlan County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) to develop the website which is used to promote local development and capital investment in the community. The project is a part of an overall effort to promote economic development activities.
During the development process, HCEDA collected video and photographic footage around Harlan County to include available land for development, schools, hospitals, quality of life, and workforce. The website can be found at www.harlancountyeda.com.
The project also provided the HCEDA with the opportunity to create a fresh logo and improve overall branding. The logo incorporated mountains to represent the county’s mountainous terrain.
The Center for Rural Development (The Center) and the Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College worked together to identify projects that align with the goals of the Flex-E Grant Program and support other regional initiatives such as Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) and the Kentucky Promise Zone. The grants provide a critical resource for communities to plan and implement projects that address both local and regional development efforts.
The 2017 ARC Flex-E-Grants funded 22 projects totaling more than $180,000 in grant funds with a minimum of 20 percent matched locally. The grants were awarded in economically distressed counties, as designated by the ARC, including Carter, Clay, Cumberland, Estill, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Letcher, Magoffin, Menifee, Metcalfe, Morgan, and Whitley counties.
Three additional multi-county projects with a regional development focus will impact counties of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Whitley, and Wolfe.
These Southern and Eastern Kentucky communities used the grants to engage local residents in planning processes that explore strategic approaches to community and economic development, and projects that result in assets for tourism, downtown revitalization, youth development and other areas.
For more information on The Center’s Flex-E-Grant program, contact Patti Simpson at 606-677-6000.
Established in 1996 through the vision of U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), and other leaders, The Center for Rural Development is a nonprofit organization fueled by a mission to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions and a better way of life in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The Center provides innovative programs in leadership, public safety, technology, and arts and culture. The Center is committed to constantly expanding its capabilities in order to deliver a range of key services throughout Kentucky and the nation.
