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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Announces Community Development Grant for Georgetown Salvation Army
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (March 2, 2011) – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the city of Georgetown.
A $500,000 grant through the CDBG program, which is administered by the Department for Local Government (DLG), will support the renovation of a building that will house the Georgetown Salvation Army along with planning and administrative fees.
“While many Kentuckians are familiar with the Salvation Army’s bell-ringers during the Christmas season, its programs are important year-round,” said Gov. Beshear. “Georgetown residents coping with unemployment and economic difficulties are particularly in need. My administration is pleased to support this project, which will enable the Salvation Army to serve an estimated 500 more people.”
The new facility will be approximately four times the size of the rented space currently used by the Salvation Army. The approximately 3,900 square-foot building is a former Whitaker Bank located at 1002 Lexington Road. The Salvation Army selected the location to be more accessible to people in low-income areas. Twenty-five percent of the residents within a two-mile radius of the building have a household income of less than $25,000 a year, which makes the site a prime service location.
The renovated bank building will contain two multipurpose rooms to provide after-school programs, summer programs and adult life skill classes. It will also have a dining space, a community food pantry and clothing center, office space and a kitchen to provide meals during afterschool programs and in times of emergency disasters. The building will be fully American with Disabilities Act accessible and will have adequate parking spaces for those seeking assistance. Salvation Army staff and volunteers will manage and operate the facility, including the distribution of goods and the providing of meals.
“From shelter to afterschool programs to food pantry, the Salvation Army provides a range of valuable services, and it needs adequate space to continue to provide them,” said DLG Commissioner Tony Wilder. “We are committed to helping those struggling from the recession, and in these challenging times, organizations such as the Salvation Army are needed more than ever. All of Georgetown will reap the benefits of this expansion.”
In addition to the CDBG funds, the Salvation Army is contributing $570,850 to this project, for a total project cost of $1.07 million.
“We’re always pleased to have the Governor here in Georgetown, and we have been looking forward to his visit,” said Georgetown Mayor Everette Varney.
“The Governor’s support for the Salvation Army will allow Scott County to provide services we couldn’t otherwise have,” said Scott County Judge Executive George Lusby.
The state’s CDBG program is administered by DLG and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Kentucky’s Congressional leaders’ ongoing support of the CDBG program ensures the availability of continued funding in Kentucky and nationally.
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