Jessamine County
Jessamine County will have access to millions of dollars over the next two years from the federal stimulus package. This money could be used to change the course of the local economy, steering it towards a more sustainable energy future that offers good green jobs.
Find out how you can voice your opinion about the way Jessamine County intends to use this money below.
State Energy Plan
A portion of $50.7 million
The Governor released an outline of the way that State Energy Plan funds will be used on May 21st. Click here to read the press release - which also contains a link to the fact sheet and summary of SEP money. The federal goals for state energy plan (SEP) funds include reducing the environmental impacts of energy use and production and enhancing energy efficiency/renewable energy. There are opportunities in the plan for industries, businesses, institutions, and localities (cities and counties) to apply for money to improve energy efficiency. As more information becomes available about those opportunities, it will be published on this page.
The Jessamine County Judge Executive's office may submit an application to the state to compete against other cities and counties for some portion of this money. To voice your opinion about whether Jessamine county should apply and how the funds should be spent, contact Judge Executive William Cassity at (859) 885-4500.
Weatherization
$2.4 million regionally
These funds must be used to improve the energy efficiency of rental and owner-occupied housing of families living at 200% of poverty level or below. This means that a family of four who earns about $42,400 or less qualifies to have their home or apartment improved.
The money will be given to the Blue Grass Community Action Partnership, which serves Anderson, Boyle, Franklin, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Mercer, Scott and Woodford counties through a state program called the Clean Energy Corps (CEC).
To apply for weatherization assistance, click here and follow the link to email Jim Christian at Community Action Kentucky or call 1-(800)-456-3452 or sign up at your local agency office, 200 South Main St in Nicholasville, (859) 885-3512.
To voice your opinion on how the weatherization dollars can best
serve Jessamine County, contact Kelly Cornish or Timmy Stewart,
weatherization program directors, at (502) 695-4290. To get more
involved at the state
level, contact our High Road Organizer, Martin Richards, as KFTC is a CEC program partner.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
Competitive
Jessamine County or towns within the county may submit an application to the state later this year to compete for these funds. The money is supposed to be used for programs that reduce fossil fuel use in sustainable ways, reduce energy use, and improve the energy efficiency of buildings or transportation systems. Some the funds may be granted to local non-profit agencies and community groups in order to assist in the local implementation strategy. To voice your opinion about whether Jessamine county should apply and how the funds should be spent, contact Judge Executive William Cassity at (859) 885-4500.
Workforce Investment
$1.68 million in direct funding regionally and more money through statewide programs
These funds are supposed to help train and educate Kentucky's workforce, including youth and those currently unemployed. They can be used to re-tool local communities with the skills needed for a green economy.
The way your workforce investment board intends to spend the stimulus funds can be found online by clicking here. Voice your opinion on this plan by contacting the Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board in Lexington at (859) 624-2564.
Transportation
$18.8 million to Fayette and Jessamine Counties
The state is using $11 million of its transportation dollars from the stimulus to work on road expansion in Lexington. Additionally, $7.8 million was granted to the Lexington area directly from the federal government. 3% this money has to be used for projects that enhance bike and walking paths. The Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is in charge of overseeing this money and have already compiled a list of approved projects to fund. The local project list is available online under "new and notes". It will be amended in the next few weeks, so be sure to check for updates. Direct comments about it to Roger Daman at (859) 258-3173.