With jobs and the local economy both on the increase, Christian County officials are looking to re-activate a funding arm for development.
During Tuesday morning’s fiscal court meeting, Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam and squires named, then unanimously approved Russ Guffey, John Bruce and Phillip Peterson to the county’s Industrial Development Authority.
All three are magistrates, and Gilliam noted it was time to revitalize the group for one specific cause.
RDAAP, or the Regional Development Agency Assistance Program, was established as a system of grants through SPGE — or Special Purpose Governmental Entities.
As Gilliam stated, the awarded monies can be utilized in economic development and job-creation activities, and are often paired with matching federal, state and private funds. The capital can also be used for debt service on approved projects.
The currency stems from applications with the Tennessee Valley Authority, but they can’t be administered through an agent like the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council — which serves as a regional authority.
It was not disclosed how much RDAAP reserves Christian County has at this time, but County Treasurer Walter Cummings told the court they haven’t been spent “in awhile.”
In other court news:
— Citizens of Stone Quarry Road, near Cerulean and the Trigg/Christian county line, have successfully petitioned to have their speed limits reduced to 45 MPH. Magistrates unanimously approved the proposal.
— Under the recommendation of Gilliam, magistrates unanimously approved for the interim tag to be removed from Melissa Goff, who takes over as the permanent director for the Christian County Animal Shelter retroactive to September 1. She replaces the retired Irene Grace, and begins her tenure with a reportedly full house of pets needing to be adopted.
— Magistrates also unanimously approved the absorption of the Davis Road extension into the county road plan. Gilliam quipped it was “cheaper” to build a road roughly a 1 ¼ miles long for local residents, rather than replace and rebuild a nearby bridge owned by CSX. Gilliam said the railroad company will be notified soon, with the structure virtually condemned for traffic.
— Magistrate J.E. Pryor, for District 4, noted efforts continue in the replacement of a third-party AT&T cell phone tower that was damaged in late August.
— In an update to the court, Oak Grove Mayor Jackie Oliver confirmed she made the county’s first legal bet, when in-person sports betting activated across the Commonwealth September 7.
Oliver also noted that, per Oak Grove tourism director Traci Cunningham, more than 20,000 people visited the 14th Annual Butterfly Festival held Labor Day weekend. Scores of cars filled Walter Garrett Lane and Hwy. 41A prior to the monarch release.
