2004 Annual Report Executive
Summary
Clinch - Powell Enterprise Community
The Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community has leveraged $97,942,298.00 in grant funds and new investments in the Region since 1999. Clinch-Powell is a leader in the tri-state initiative of OH/KY/TN and has been instrumental in conducting 2 meetings in Berea, KY. The EC set aside $81,000 in 2003 for an affordable home to be built. This home was built by the Clinch-Powell Construction Company in Tazewell, TN (Claiborne County) and was sold in the spring of 2004. The money has been rolled over and we are currently in negotiations to purchase a lot in Washburn, TN (Grainger County) for the second EC home to be built in early 2005. Homebuyer Education has been conducted with seminars, one-on-one counseling and loan packaging for 50 potential homebuyers. The EC Board set aside $75,000 in 2003 for a Boys and Girls Club or Youth Recreation Program. Hawkins County has been successful in partnering with the Morristown BGC to begin a program in Rogersville. Hancock County has chosen to expand their current recreation program rather than chartering a BGC. Each group is in the process of writing a business plan in order to be awarded $37,500 for their programs. With the help of a Rural Development RBEG grant for restoration the Clinch-Powell RC&D purchased a home in Rutledge built in 1869. The Bryan House, formerly the home of prominent Doctor L.C. Bryan and family, now houses the offices of the RC&D, EC, Home Team and Clinch-Powell Construction Company.
The house includes a hall in honor of Doc Bryan, community access videoconferencing equipment, and community access internet connections. The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants program continues to expand and improve emergency services in the Clinch-Powell region. We have assisted local volunteer fire departments in writing and submitting their on-line grant proposals since the program began in 2002. The Rural Business Opportunities Grant (RBOG) for the Clinch-Powell Network enabled us to update and extend our video-conferencing program.