Scott/McCreary Area Rural EC
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States: Tennessee & Kentucky
Counties (Census Tracts): Scott (TN) (9750, 9752, 9753, 9754), McCreary (KY) (9601, 9602, 9603, 9604)
Community Population: 28,384
Community Area: 840.8 square miles
Poverty Rate: 38% of residents live in poverty
Unemployment Rate: 14.2% (TN), 13.4% (KY) Per Capita Income: $11,569 (TN), $8,741 (KY)
Education: 50.8% of the population (25 year & older) has no high school diploma.
Overview
This application (SMART) is a collaborative effort between two States, Tennessee and Kentucky. The nominated area covers the cities of Huntsville, Oneida, and Winfield in Scott County,Tennessee and Pine Knot, Stearns and Whitley in McCreary County, Kentucky. These two adjacent rural target areas are located at the western edge of the Appalachian foothills. Basic needs, economy/environment, and education/arts are identified as the most important issues in the target area.
SMART is dedicated to improving the economic well-being and quality of life in the nominated communities, as well as, protecting the scenic and natural beauty of the target area. The overall vision for the applicant is to promote the creation of a sustainable economy that capitalizes on improved educational, cultural, recreational and employment opportunities for residents in the target communities. Planned strategies are based on community needs assessment, possible solutions identified by residents and the analysis of existing human and natural resources.
Key Activities
Economic Opportunity:
SMART calls for increasing employment growth, improving infrastructure, expanding tourism to increase employment, and developing education programs to improve human resources. A professional economic development specialist will initiate and implement the economic development strategies and assist in the expansion and retention of existing industries in the nominated communities. New businesses and industries in the nominated communities are encouraged to utilize timber and other locally- produced resources. SMART intends to organize an awareness campaign which thatl encourage residents to purchase locally-produced goods and services and to establish an information clearinghouse for businesses, industries and the general public regarding financing and other available resources. A standing committee is established to oversee and implement programs to create, retain, and expand business and industry within the proposed SMART County.
Sustainable Community Development:
The applicant addresses problems that affect the basic needs of residents as the key focus of projects in the strategic plan. These basic needs include health care, safety/security, housing, infrastructure and education/arts. Some of the proposed strategies include the development of a comprehensive wellness program, establishment of seven rural fire stations, upgrading public recreational facilities and construction of a Cultural Arts Center for educational, social and economic needs of the residents. SMART intends to increase the percent of owner occupied units from 75.7% to 80% and decrease the percent of substandard housing units from 52% to 35% by the year 2005. The goal is to improve the quality of life of the residents by providing improved health services, safety and security, affordable housing, creating jobs and protecting the aesthetic values of the environment. SMART proposes to implement these services and projects through a system of standing committees. The applicant expects to spend about $124,462,999 to implement the proposed plan:
Projects
Funding ($) Sources: Fed., State, Local
Partnership
EZ/EC
Health care 25,000, 25,000, 60,000 145,000 7,350,000 Safety/security 1,300,000, 250,000, 110,000 499,999 3,580,000 Housing 2,000,000, 4,000,000, 10,000 3,000,000 7,000,000 Econ/environ. 900,000, 250,000, 10,000 1,000,000 10,000,000 Infrastructure 21,380,000, 2,300,000, 345,000 0 17,805,000 Education/arts 2,500,000, 6,235,000, 10,000 690,000 13,840,000 Totals F- $27,105,000 S- $13,060,000 L- $545,000 $5,334,999 $59,575,000 Major Public Sector Commitments
Federal Government Resources:
USDA & Corporation for National Service - A volunteer will be provided from the AmeriCorps Rural Development Team
Tennessee Valley Authority:
Will provide technical assistance in business development, community development, tourism, economic analysis, agribusiness, and environmental enhancement. Priority will also be given on the use of TVA revolving loan funds for all designated EZ/EC locations in the TVA region.
Major Private Sector Commitments
Lumber King Inc. pledges $5,000 in retail value of materials toward the construction of an arts culture center in Oneida, Tennessee.
Contact:
Name: Leslie Winningham Address: P.O. Box 186 Huntsville, TN 37756 Phone: 423-663-3280 Fax: 423-663-3290 Email: Lwinningham@highland.net
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