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LaRue and Nelson counties receive state funding for industrial development projects

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LaRue and Nelson counties are among 13 Kentucky counties that received state funding for projects that are part of Phase Two of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative.

According to a release from the governor’s office, the matching funds support job growth and economic development by providing funding for local communities to invest in site and building upgrades. The initiative is overseen by the Cabinet for Economic Development.

The City of Hodgenville, on behalf of the LaRue County Fiscal Court and LaRue County Industrial Foundation, received $600,000 to go towards a $1.2 million project to install a sanitary sewer forced main at the recently acquired industrial development site in Upton.

“We’ve been really fortunate and able to get money for both rounds, and round one was property acquisition, round two we asked for a sewer main because you have to have the big three utilities of water, sewer, gas availability,” said LaRue County Judge-Executive and LaRue County Industrial Foundation President Blake Durrett. “We have a good location, so we’re just continuing to build our portfolio there in Upton.”

Durrett says the funding allows LaRue County to create new opportunities while maintaining its rural roots.

“If we can invest in this sewer that will in turn bring us manufacturing and jobs, I think it’s money well spent,” Durrett said. “You know, planting a seed to get greater yield.”

Nelson County also received funding, applied for via the City of Bardstown. $630,000 was approved for a $1.2 million project aimed at extending utilities and existing roadways in the Nelson County Industrial Park.
Learn more about the Kentucky Product Development Initiative at kpdi.ky.gov.

CKCF Scholarship Central deadline Friday

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Friday, March 1 at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline to apply for the Central Kentucky Community Foundation’s Scholarship Central.

“It’s available to area high school students, to some current college students, and to even non-traditional students, and it is an application, just one application, that you fill out,” Hahn said. “Based on your answers, you will see a list of eligible scholarships.”

That’s Central Kentucky Community Foundation Communications and Scholarships Coordinator Erin Hahn. 

“You may have to write an additional essay or get a letter of recommendation, but the whole process is very turnkey,” Hahn said. “This year, we have the opportunity of 150 scholarships that we will be awarding and it totals about $350,000.”

The range of scholarships available has increased this year, something made possible by strong community support.

“The amount of money that we are able to give out is given by generous donors in our community,” Hahn said. “Those donors that have had a fervor for education and wanting to pay it forward, and we’re able to do that to invest in the next chapter of their academic lives.”

The application for Scholarship Central is available at www.ckcf4people.org. For assistance, contact the Central Kentucky Community Foundation at 270-737-8393.

Deadline to register for E-Town Parks and Rec’s 1,000 Mile Club Friday

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Friday, March 1 is the deadline to register for the City of Elizabethtown Parks and Recreation Department’s annual 1,000 Mile Club.

“This will be our fifth year, and the goal of that club is to promote a healthier lifestyle for members in the community, to encourage them to run, walk, cycle, swim, or paddle 1,000 miles for the 2024 calendar year,” said E-Town Parks and Rec. Programs Coordinator Adam Case.

Registration for the program is $25, and the program has several incentives.

“We have benchmark prizes along the way throughout the year to keep you motivated, and we send out monthly updates from the club, and then everybody that registers for that will get a free t-shirt just for signing up, so it’s a win-win for us all,” Case said.

The 1,000 Mile Club is also a great opportunity to take advantage of the city’s park offerings.

“Between all of the Greenspace trails that we have and all the parks, there’s endless places to walk, run, and do all of the things,” Case said.

More information and a link to register can be found on the Parks and Recreation page of the city’s website.

‘All-clear’ given after another bomb threat at BlueOval SK

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One week after the BlueOval SK construction site was evacuated due to a bomb threat found in a portable toilet, a similar incident forced another evacuation Thursday.

“Originally, we got the call somewhere around 10 o’clock that they had found another bomb threat written inside another Porta-John,” said Chief Deputy David Lee with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

Lee said BlueOval SK decided to evacuate the workers to specific areas on site rather than sending workers home, and the company conducted an internal search of the property. That search resulted in another call to law enforcement.

“Upon their search, they called back and they had found what appeared to be a device, with wiring coming out of the device connected to some sort of machinery item, and by machinery I mean either an air conditioning system or some kind of system inside that they have,” Lee said.

The sheriff’s office and the Kentucky State Police responded at that time. Closer examination of the device in question revealed there was no threat.

“The wiring was Christmas tree lights,” Lee said. “It was decided to remove the device, and it was just lying on Christmas tree lights to mimic a bomb.”

Lee said the plant was then given the “all clear” and operations were returned to normal.

Priority deadline for ECTC scholarships Thursday

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Thursday, February 29 is the priority application deadline for Elizabethtown Community and Technical College students to apply for scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year.

“We have over 50 scholarship opportunities, and I think that it’s going to be about $195,000 worth of scholarships, so we have a lot of different opportunities for students,” said ECTC Scholarship Coordinator Chrissie Angell. 

All new and returning students are encouraged to apply via the simplified application process.

“It’s one application, and then the system sorts it and the students are considered for any of those 50 scholarships that they meet the criteria for, so the students don’t really have to go through the list and determine what scholarships they want to apply for,” Angell said. “They don’t have to do 50 different applications. It’s one application.”

New students will need to complete the ECTC admissions application and get an ID number. All applicants will need to complete a FAFSA. The full listing of available scholarships can be found on ECTC’s website.

“There is a wide variance of criteria for them, but there really is something for everyone, whether it’s for a specific degree, or we have a great scholarship that’s for students that are first generation students,” Angell said. “There is a wide range of opportunities for students to apply for scholarships.”

Students or prospective students are welcome to visit ECTC’s financial aid office for assistance.