Representatives from several federal agencies gathered in Kentucky this week to discuss future plans for the designated 'Promise Zone.' Eight southeast Kentucky counties make up the area. The initiative, which aims to improve the region's overall quality of life, was unveiled by President Obama during his 2013 State of the Union speech.
Tom Fern with USDA Rural Development of Kentucky says the counties inside the Promise Zone are given some priority consideration. "We all acknowledge just throwing money into the zone is not the entire answer, but certainly, in many cases, that's needed to provide what would be more infrastructure, broadband assistance, healthcare, security," said Fern.
Fern cites a $23 million loan to the Knox County Hospital as an example of such assistance. He says the initiative helped save more than 200 jobs and has kept emergency care in place for area citizens. "Of those folks that needed the hospital so badly for that immediate area for emergency treatment and so on, it will continue to be accessible to them," said Fern. "Otherwise, it could have been closed."
Fern says the far reaching program also covers infrastructure, health, and education needs. He says there is entrepreneurial training for youth, and efforts to diversify the region's economy.
The two day meeting in Williamsburg offered an opportunity for residents to interact with federal agency reps. The eight counties in the zone are Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Letcher, Leslie, Perry, and Whitley.?
