Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Governor’s Office for Local Development (GOLD) announced today a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the city of White Plains in Hopkins County.

            The grant dollars will be used to construct a 7,000 square-foot senior citizens center on Railroad Street in downtown White Plains. 

Governor Fletcher said, “It is absolutely essential that we provide our Commonwealth’s valued seniors with a quality center that will meet their needs and those of the community as a whole.  Presently there is no senior center in the southern portion of Hopkins County; therefore, the need for this center cannot be ignored.”

            GOLD Commissioner Darrell Brock, Jr. applauded the city’s support of the project. “The city of White Plains has committed nearly $179,000 to the project and will use 1.3 acres of city-owned land for the new center. The community is behind the project 100 percent and we are pleased to be their partner.”

            In addition, the city will provide water and sewer lines, parking lot gravel and paving, and debris removal. During the construction phase, the city will provide temporary water and electricity -- all at a cost of $24,000.

            The new facility will contain a large activity room, a kitchen, a dining room, office and storage space, a meeting room and restrooms. The new center will serve the cities of White Plains, Nortonville, Morton’s Gap and St. Charles.

            The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides CDBG dollars to the Governor’s Office for Local Development for the funding of local community development activities.