Harlan 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 Harlan county intends to use this money below.

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 Harlan 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 the county should apply and how the funds should be spent, contact Joe Grieshop, the Harlan County Judge Executive, at (606) 573-2600.

$1.35 million

This money 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.

These funds will be given to the Harlan Community Action Agency 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, call 1-(800)-456-3452 or contact your local Community Action office at (606) 573-5335, 319 Camden Street in Harlan.

To voice your opinion on how the weatherization dollars can best serve Harlan County, call (606) 575-5335.  To get more involved at the state level, contact our High Road Organizer, Martin Richards, as KFTC is a CEC program partner.

Competitive

Harlan 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.  To voice your opinion about whether the county should apply and how the funds should be spent, contact Joe Grieshop, the Harlan County Judge Executive, at (606) 573-2600.

$4.2 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. It can be used to re-tool local communities with the skills needed for a green economy. 

Floyd County's workforce investment board, Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Solution (EKCEP), has posted its spending plan for public comment on the website.  Voice your opinion about how your community can best use these stimulus funds by contacting EKCEP, by calling (606) 436-5751 or emailing comments on the plan at ekcep@ekcep.org.

EKCEP serves Bell, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe counties.