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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Announces New Health Department, Energy Efficiency Improvements for Caldwell County
PRINCETON, Ky.-- Gov. Steve Beshear joined Department for Local Government (DLG) Commissioner Tony Wilder and local officials today to announce funding for a community investment and energy efficiency improvements for Caldwell County.
A $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered by DLG was awarded to build a new health department. An Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) of $125,000 will go toward energy updates at the courthouse.
“Today’s announcements will have a significant impact on Caldwell County,” said Gov. Beshear. “With a new health department next to the hospital, the county will have a bigger, more central location for medical services and staff that will be able to better meet the needs of residents. At the courthouse, the energy efficiency measures will save taxpayers money and reduce energy dependence.”
The current Caldwell County Health Department is 3,300 square feet with a 1,100 square foot annex. More than 50 years old, the facility struggles to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and is not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible, making it very difficult for many clients to navigate the building. The lack of confidential meeting rooms forces the health department to stagger appointment times to ensure patient privacy. In addition, the current facility has heating and air problems, roof leaks, doors that do not lock securely and inadequate space for storing confidential client records.
The new 13,754 square-foot health department will be built at 101 Hospital Drive in Princeton, Ky. on land owned by the Caldwell County Fiscal Court. In conjunction with the Caldwell County Board of Health and the Pennyrile District Health Department, the new building will house a community health education training room, the Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program, the State Plumbing Inspector, HIPPA-certified patient exam rooms, record storage space and office space. The Pennyrile District Health Department will be responsible for owning, maintaining and insuring the new facility, which will be fully ADA accessible.
“Allowing the health department to help approximately 200 additional patients per year, the new building will provide timely, quality treatment in a more comfortable environment,” said DLG Commissioner Wilder. “The energy enhancements at the courthouse will help us reach our efficiency goals as part of Kentucky’s seven-point energy strategy.”
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.
“These are two exciting announcements for Caldwell County and are truly investments in our community,” said Sen. Dorsey Ridley of Henderson. “A new health department and energy efficiency improvements for the courthouse are two projects that will benefit a great number of citizens. On behalf of our community, I appreciate Governor Beshear for taking the lead to support these much-needed projects in Caldwell County.”
The energy efficiency grant will fund the replacement of the Caldwell County Courthouse heating and cooling systems with a new high-efficiency system. This will involve replacing the boiler with two smaller boilers, replacing console heat pumps with new high-efficiency units and installing energy controls.
“Caldwell County and local area residents are greatly appreciative for the allocation of these funds to both the health department and the Caldwell County Courthouse,” said Rep. Mike Cherry of Princeton. “We have known for some time that facility updates are needed, and receiving these grants will contribute significantly to the health and well-being of our community.”
First passed by Congress in 2007, the EECBG program was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), with funds coming from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence and administered by DLG.
The Kentucky EECBG program provides $6.25 million to assist local governments in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions; reduce total energy use; and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building and other appropriate sectors. Additional purposes of the EECBG program include spurring economic growth and the creation and/or retention of jobs under ARRA.
To read Governor Beshear’s Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future: Kentucky’s 7-Point Energy Strategy, go to:
http://www.governor.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/2880287D-511E-4421-ACC3-D4B9A7F97132/0/EnergyStrategy.pdf
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