FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 25, 2019) – The Department for Local Government (DLG) has announced a $480,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to Madison County Fiscal Court and the City of Richmond, on behalf of the Kentucky River Foothills Development Corporation (KRFDC).
The federal funds will allow the development corporation to build an 8,564-square-foot workforce training facility on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University. The facility will be modeled after the successful Residences at the Career Gateway in Columbus, Ohio, and provide high-quality income-based housing, supportive services, training and job placement for Madison County residents. The new facility will be called the Workforce Pathway at Kit Carson Commons.
“The Workforce Pathway at Kit Carson Commons will help create a talent pipeline that will connect Madison County residents with affordable housing as well as the targeted training they need to capture the attention of Madison County employers,” DLG Commissioner Sandra K. Dunahoo said. “I look forward to seeing lives transformed by this project, and I’m pleased to award these funds today.”
“Madison County has been recognized in the past for its workforce readiness initiatives, so I have to applaud community leaders for looking for ways to further improve,” Sen. Jared Carpenter said. “It’s expected that starting in the fall of 2020, a hundred residents will be receiving training and support services through the Workforce Pathway at Kit Carson Commons, and that is something to be celebrated.”
Funding for the project, which is expected to cost more than $9.6 million, came from a variety of sources. In addition to the Community Development Block Grant program, the following sources contributed to the project: the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Housing Corporation HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and the Kentucky River Foothills Development Corporation.
“Ensuring that the men and women of Madison County have the skills they need for well-paying, long-term jobs is a top priority for us, and I’d like to thank Commissioner Dunahoo, the Department for Local Government and Governor Bevin for this investment,” Rep. Deanna Frazier said. “This workforce training facility will help change lives in Madison County and would not be possible without the collaboration of multiple organizations, including Eastern Kentucky University. I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of all agencies involved.”
About the Community Development Block Grant ProgramThe CDBG program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides assistance to communities for use in revitalizing neighborhoods, expanding affordable housing and economic opportunities, providing infrastructure and/or improving community facilities and services.
About the Department for Local GovernmentFunds are administered by DLG, an arm of the Office of the Governor dedicated to supporting local officials and communities. To learn more about CDBG and other grant opportunities available through DLG, visit
dlg.ky.gov.
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