2008 Annual Report Executive
Summary
Clinch - Powell Enterprise Community
The Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community has leveraged $186,922,751 in grants, loans and new investments in the Region since 1999. In 2008, EC assisted groups served 1,280 families, created 596 jobs, involved 16,286 participants, and served 4,674 youth.
The EC continues to develop programs and services to insure all residents have access to safe drinking water, can benefit from local job creation, area culture and tourism projects and services, improved housing, transportation and daycare.
The EC Economic Development Board is organized to handle industrial recruiting, workforce development coordination, and marketing value-added farm and forest products. The EC loan program through work of the EC and various committees have worked diligently to iron out the details to include a venture capital and micro-loan programs for industry, alternative agriculture, value-added farm and forest entrepreneurs and area small business. The Small Business Loan Program awarded 2 small business loans and received a $99,000 RD grant to re-capitalize the revolving loan fund. A local banking partner contributed $50,000 to the fund.
An added bonus has been the development of a transportation program and day care facility at Claiborne County Industrial Park that will provide youth and adults with better access to jobs, and educational and training programs. The Child Care Center will create 10 jobs. Area jobs are expected to increase significantly with the creation of a technical education and arts center, expansion of area glass and automotive services, and housing renovation and construction. Thirteen lots were purchased for a new self-help low-income housing project. More than 1.2 million dollars has contributed to the support of 54 small businesses through housing. Homebuyer counseling and Education services were provided to 315 clients. Foreclosure mitigation services were provided for 158 families.
Promotional literature is utilized as a resource to encourage tourism and use of local businesses. Increase in area tourism has resulted in the acquisition of 3 acres for campground development at the Clinch River Conservation Center & Retreat.