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SubscribeIn an effort to address the needs of Louisville residents with disabilities and improve accessibility in many historic commercial structures in Metro Council District 8, Councilman Brandon Coan today announced that his office has partnered with the Department of Economic Development to create a dedicated revolving account that will loan up to $5,000 to businesses located in the district, already seeking the city’s accessibility loan program, to help pay for bigger and more accessibility improvements.
“The District 8 Accessibility Loan Program is part of my strategic objective to improve equitable access to the built environment,” said Coan. “Many Highlands-area businesses are hard to navigate for people using wheelchairs or otherwise having limited mobility. I hope local businesses will take advantage of this opportunity to improve their properties, expand their customer bases and make District 8 an even more welcoming community.”
To be eligible for the loan, the business must be located in District 8, be approved by the Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO), the city’s board that governs small business loans, and be used on a project already borrowing $15,000 from METCO. The loan will be matched up to $5,000.
The city’s accessibility loans are offered to commercial property owners for the purpose of making buildings more accessible to people with disabilities. The loans are restricted to ingress and egress improvements, including but not limited to: accessible paths of travel, doors, handrails, threshold adjustments, and restroom updates.
“The Accessibility program is an important tool for improving the accessibility for everyone in our community, and District 8, anchored by many historic buildings, is ripe for these improvements,” said Scott Herrmann, Director of Economic Development. “Councilman Coan’s partnership with METCO is a testament to the city’s commitment to improving accessibility and furthering the vitality and quality of life in the Louisville community.”
The Center for Accessible Living has agreed to provide pro bono Accessibility Surveys to applicants seeking to take advantage of the new loan program. The surveys identify ADA compliance issues and make compliance suggestions – the kinds of improvements intended to be funded by the loans.
“As a compassionate city, Louisville should strive to be accessible to all people, and the District 8 Accessibility Loan Program is a positive development toward that goal,” said David Allgood, Director of Advocacy at the Center for Accessible Living. “The Center for Accessible Living is proud to partner with Councilman Coan on this initiative. People with disabilities are the city’s second-largest minority, and we have money to spend at local businesses we can access and enjoy.”
July 26, 2017 is the 27th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush. The law prohibits discrimination based on disability and improves access to the built environment through standards and requirements.
To learn more about the city’s accessibility loan, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/local-loan-programs.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Mayor Greg Fischer and 15th District Councilwoman Marianne Butler joined city officials and area youths yesterday to dedicate the city’s 31st outdoor water element at Huston Quin Park in the Wilder Park neighborhood near Churchill Downs.
“The improvements at Huston Quin will give neighborhood families a nice new spot to cool off during the summer months,” Fischer said. “The new sprayground, in particular, makes this a great destination for residents in south Louisville.”
“This long-awaited for sprayground is a wonderful enhancement for the neighborhood,” Butler said. “Seeing children coming together to play harmoniously is heartwarming and should be the model for all.”
The $510,000 renovation at the two-acre park, which is named after former Louisville Mayor Huston Quin, was mainly funded by a Community Development Block Grant of $500,000 and included $10,000 from general funds to help install a new water fountain.
“We’re very excited to see this work at Huston Quin and for the project support from Mayor Fischer, Councilwoman Butler and the office of Housing and Community Development,” said Metro Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose. “The end result is an enhanced experience for park users.”
Additional improvements at the park include a new restroom facility and improvements to the site that will result in ADA access to the restroom and sprayground. David Construction was the general contractor on the project and Tetra Tech and Environs served as design consultants.
Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Free Public Library officials welcomed the public today to the new $14.5 million South Central Regional Library located at 7300 Jefferson Boulevard near Jefferson Mall in Okolona.
The 40,000-square-foot facility, which replaces the much-smaller Okolona branch, enhances service for more than 160,000 people in south central Jefferson County, with new books and cutting-edge technology that encourages learning at all stages of life.
The library the second of three regional libraries included in the Louisville Free Public Library’s Updated Master Facilities Plan; the Southwest Regional Library opened in 2014, and construction on the third regional library in Northeast Jefferson County will begin this year.
“Lifelong learning is one of our core city values,” Mayor Greg Fischer said during today’s ribbon cutting. “And the gorgeous new South Central Regional Library is another example of how we’re bringing that value to life for the people of Louisville.”
The new eco-friendly library features more than 120,000 books and other materials – including more bestsellers, DVDs, large type, materials in multiple languages, books for youth, and graphic novels – as well as two large community meeting rooms; several smaller rooms for studying, reading, and collaborating; and dedicated spaces for teens and children. New technologies at South Central include plenty of computers and free internet access, plus, for the first time, a laptop kiosk for patrons to checkout laptops for use within the library.
“Our new South Central Regional Library provides the community with a world-class resource that will energize and expand opportunities for learning, growth, and engagement,” said Library Director Jim Blanton. “I challenge everyone in Louisville to take advantage of these new opportunities and seize them with excitement. I know I will.”
Overall, the South Central Regional Library project utilizes green building construction methods and materials and has been designed to save energy, improve quality of life, and reduce operating costs through such elements as geothermal heating and daylight harvesting interior lighting.
Walls of glass and clerestory windows fill the space with abundant natural light and offer incredible views of more than an acre of preserved woodland. The Library was committed to keeping as many trees as possible in order to preserve the beauty of the site and to minimize environmental impact, and while some of the hardwood trees had to be removed, many were milled and reused on the interior of the new library. The design team for the South Central Regional included JRA Architects of Louisville, Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle Ltd. of Minneapolis, and library staff, in consultation with neighborhood residents and leaders.
“District 24 is honored to have been chosen to host the Regional Library for this area of Metro Louisville,” said Councilwoman Madonna Flood. “For years we have dreamed of what the building would look like, what kind of technology would fill the space, and what kind of programs would be presented here. We can now see it, work in it and learn in it; our dreams have become reality. We are very excited for the Grand Opening of this grand Regional Library in Okolona.”
The South Central Regional also offers another LFPL first: the COLLIDER artist-in-residence program. The COLLIDER will host an array of artists and craftspeople from across the community – rotating monthly – including those working in visual arts, traditional crafts, music, dance, and digital art. Generous funding from Councilwoman Flood enabled the creation of the necessary space, artist equipment and materials, as well as a stipend for participating artists. The special studio space within the Library allows the artists to create on-site, while encouraging patrons to drop in, interact, and learn about a given artistic process. The program also features scheduled workshops for the public during each artist’s month in residence. To learn more about the COLLIDER’s artists-in-residence, visit LFPL.org/Collider.
Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch, whose District 13 is near the library said she was thrilled about its opening. “This location is about a mile from the border of District 13, so I anticipate great usage from my constituents in the Okolona, Hillview, and Yorktown areas,” she said. “The unique features such as lap top check out and artist in residence provided by Councilwoman Flood are expected to be a huge asset for our people!”
James Peden of District 23 agreed the new library is a tremendous asset to the community. “It will serve as the perfect place for checking out a book, holding meetings, and gaining knowledge,” he said. “We encourage everyone to stop by and check it out as soon as they can.”
Construction of the South Central Regional Library began in September 2015. The total cost for construction, books, computers, and furnishings was estimated at $14.5 million, with $6 million coming from the state, $6 million in capital funds allocated by Mayor Fischer and approved by the Metro Council, and an additional $2.5 million raised from private donors through the Library Foundation.
Mayor Fischer, Blanton, and Metro Council members were joined at today’s event by Congressman John Yarmuth, Library Foundation Vice Chair Bill Dunbar, and Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives representative Paige Davidson.
The opening weekend celebration continues on Saturday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with artist-in-residence demonstrations, a family scavenger hunt, storytimes, and refreshments. For more information on the new South Central Regional Library, please visit LFPL.org/SouthCentral, or call (502) 964-3515.
If you visit the South Central Regional Library
The hours of operation are: Sunday: 1–5 p.m., Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The library hosts a variety of free programs, classes, and events every month for adults and youth including weekly storytimes, computer classes, and multi-cultural programs. Search the library’s online calendar at LFPL.org for upcoming program dates and times.
In addition, the South Central Regional’s meeting rooms are available for use by community groups and organizations; it’s free but reservations are required. For more information call (502) 964-3515 or visit LFPL.org/meeting-rooms.htm.
Photo: Keenan Charitable Trust
William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust announced more than $5 million in new funding over the next three years to improve the life outcomes of young Black men and boys aged 16-25.
The grant will support creation of two civic leadership fellowships for young men in Lexington and Louisville, KY, in partnership with local city leaders and advocates, along with national partners coordinated by Cities United. The fellowships will be directed toward young men impacted by community violence.
“We must work more collaboratively if we are going to make sure all of us can live in communities that are safe, healthy and hopeful,” said Anthony Smith, Executive Director of Cities United. “Investing directly in our youth, their families and the communities they call home is part of our new vision for real public safety—one that lights a path to real hope and opportunity for all. The data and our experience show that real public safety requires investments in prevention and community building, not simply increased law enforcement or incarceration.”
These fellowships will encourage young Black men and boys aged 16-25 to invest in their futures, and offer opportunities for education, jobs and careers combined with leadership development and mentoring support. Young people in the two cities will be selected based on their potential and need.
The fellowships are rooted in the belief that young Black men are assets to our communities and cities. They are creative, resourceful and whole, and if given the right support system and opportunities, they will thrive.
Cities United recently received a planning grant for the fellowship from the James Graham Brown Foundation. The fellowships will be a collaborative initiative, with the cities of Louisville and Lexington partnering with their local workforce, education, criminal justice housing and social service partners to prepare up to 120 young Black men to be the next generation of civic leaders. The fellowships will invest directly in young people to shape their leadership and skill building, while learning directly from their lived experience with broken systems that produce community violence, and applying those learnings across city policies and programs.
“When we invest in young people, we invest in a brighter future for our city. In Lexington we are making significant investments to identify and stamp out root causes of violence. This program, working at the individual level, will expand and support our efforts. Thanks to everyone involved for this unique opportunity,” said Lexington Mayor Jim Gray.
“We believe in our young people and are excited about this opportunity to build on our existing youth and community building efforts through Zones of Hope and the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “We look forward to working with Mayor Gray of Lexington to cultivate community-led efforts to reduce violence and ensure that all citizens, no matter race or ZIP code, have the opportunity to reach their full human potential. We will not succeed unless we all work together, including local and national funders who can direct much-needed resources to our communities.”
Lexington and Louisville were chosen because of the commitment from their mayors and their partnerships with Cities United, the Campaign for Black Male Achievement and other local and national organizations focused on creating better outcomes for young Black men and boys, their families and the neighborhoods they call home.
The partners will capture lessons from Lexington and Louisville, to use the fellowships as a model for investing in young leaders in other parts of the nation, where mayors and city leaders are also directing efforts to advance 21st century public safety, provide pathways to opportunity and reduce violence against young Black men and boys.
“We have been locking away and warehousing our most talented young people for far too long,” said Dr. Dorian Burton, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust Assistant Executive Director. “Young Black men are assets to our communities, and when provided with the right support and resources, they will thrive. Leaders in Lexington and Louisville have created a real opportunity to show how cities can build equitable pathways for success for Black males, and drive systems-level reform in their communities. I am hopeful that other national investors, the private sector and the state will embrace these initiatives and invest additional dollars to scale their work to other cities and states.”
Both Louisville and Lexington will be identifying and resourcing a group of grassroots, “on-the-ground” service providers who have specialized skills and relationships needed to effectively engage these young men of promise.
Other local partners include Louisville Urban League, Metro United Way, New Legacy Reentry, KentuckianaWorks, Legal Aid Society, Simmons College, Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Jefferson Community & Technical College, Bluegrass Workforce Investment Board, Fayette County Public Schools, Fayette Circuit and District Court, Urban League of Lexington – Fayette County and Lexington Leadership Foundation. National partners include #Cut50, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Cities United, JustLeadership USA, Essie Justice Group and BMe Community.
Photo: Kentucky Cabinet For Economic Development
Gov. Matt Bevin announced Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC will invest $13.7 million to increase the output of its Calloway County facility, which produces additive compounds for numerous industries.
“This growth by Vanderbilt Chemicals is evidence that a key Kentucky industry continues to flourish,” said Gov. Matt Bevin. “In today’s world, the chemicals industry fundamentally supports our daily lives, and Kentucky is proud that companies like Vanderbilt – a member of our corporate community since 1969 – choose to locate and prosper here. I wish the company well going forward and hope to see even more growth in the future.”
Vanderbilt’s expansion in West Kentucky includes the addition of a new spray drying system and a new building to house this equipment. The facility provides dried, purified and finished smectite and bentonite clay used in pharmaceutical, personal care, agri-science, ceramics, household items and other products. Company executives expect to complete the project in early 2019. Currently, the company employs 97 people at the Murray facility.
“Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC has long enjoyed being a part of this great and growing community,” said Richard Davis, vice president at the Murray operation. “The support from local officials, neighbors and the commonwealth has been an important part of the decision to further expand our operations in this area and provide additional employment opportunities for people in our area.”
Vanderbilt Chemicals, founded in 1916 and headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., manufactures and resells chemicals for the rubber, plastics, paint, paper, petroleum, personal care and other minerals industries. Vanderbilt has an additional manufacturing facility in Connecticut and mining operations in Arizona, Nevada, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The chemicals industry in Kentucky employs 15,000 people full-time at nearly 200 production sites across the state. This year through June, the industry announced more than $100 million in new investments.
Sen. Stan Humphries, of Cadiz, noted the company’s relationship with the local area.
“I would like to congratulate Vanderbilt Chemicals, which has been a community partner in Murray for a number of years, on this new multimillion dollar expansion. I look forward to the company’s continued success in Murray and wish its leaders the best in future endeavors.”
Rep. Kenny Imes, of Murray, said growth of companies like Vanderbilt contributes to the community’s overall quality of life.
“Any time a company invests a large sum of money, like nearly $14 million, it is indicative of the positive business environment in the area. I’m proud to continue working to attract this exact type of investment to Murray and our surrounding communities, and to bring more jobs to support families and to make our region the best place to live and raise a family.”
Murray Mayor Jack Rose praised the company’s professional practices.
“Long before I became mayor of Murray, I have known that Vanderbilt is one of those companies that quietly goes about the business of being the best they can be,” Mayor Rose said. “This investment in new equipment is a testament to their confidence in the labor force we have here in Murray and the surrounding area. We need more and better companies like Vanderbilt in West Kentucky.”
Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins said Vanderbilt has been a great match for the community’s workforce.
“Vanderbilt Chemicals has always been a really great company to work for and we are proud to see them continue to invest in Calloway County,” Judge-Executive Elkins said. “Like many family owned companies, they treat their people well and are a responsible corporate citizen that also works very hard to carefully manage their environmental footprint. Companies like these understand the great workforce that we have in West Kentucky.”
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in May approved Vanderbilt for up to $100,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.
In addition, Vanderbilt can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2016, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for nearly 95,000 Kentuckians and 5,000 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
For more information on Vanderbilt Chemicals, visit www.VanderbiltChemicals.com.
A detailed community profile for Calloway County can be viewed at http://bit.ly/CallowayCo.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.
The Kentucky Arts Council has added two acts to its Performing Artists Directory.
Louisville-based Spanish language theater group Teatro Tercera Llamada and Louisville Irish and bluegrass roots music ensemble Cloigheann join the 76 other Kentucky individuals and groups who make up the arts council’s Performing Artists Directory.
The Performing Artists Directory is an adjudicated online roster of performing artists used by in-state and out-of-state presenters and others as a resource for identifying artists for performance bookings and projects.
Inclusion in the directory represents Kentucky’s recognition of artistic excellence in an individual or group of performers. It also boosts the profile of the region where those artists are from, as well as Kentucky’s profile when those performing groups travel out of state.
Teatro Tercera Llamada, which means Theater Third Call in Spanish and takes its name from the Latin American theater tradition in which third call means lights down, curtain up, is a Spanish language theater group. “Everyone was very excited to learn we’d been added to the directory,” said cofounder Haydee Canovas. “It’s a big deal. It was important that we be recognized as a theater group by Kentucky.”
In addition to the all-Spanish theater productions, the Louisville-based group presents bilingual children’s plays.
“Our largest audiences are for the bilingual children’s plays. You get everyone from grandparents who want to come enjoy the play with their grandchildren to single people because they know it’s going to be entertaining,” Canovas said. “We really want families to come enjoy the theater together.”
The Irish and bluegrass music group Cloigheann, based in Bardstown, has been around for about 30 years, said founding member and guitarist Mark Rosenthal.
“We have several of our members who are part of other bands who’ve already been in the Performing Artists Directory, but we’re excited to be part of it as Cloigheann,” Rosenthal said. “We love sharing our music, and finding a new audience for it is something else we’re excited about. We’ve written a fair amount of new material, but haven’t recorded it yet. Getting in the directory will help breathe some new life into the band.” The arts council endeavors to promote, showcase and provide professional development opportunities to a diverse selection of Kentucky’s finest contemporary and traditional performing artists through the Performing Artists Directory.
For more information on the Performing Artists Directory, contact Tamara Coffey, individual artist director, at 502-892-3121, or tamara.coffey@ky.gov or visit the arts council’s Performing Artists Directory page.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Attorney General Andy Beshear is warning about a scam that claims Kentuckians can receive tax-free, monthly payments from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA).
Beshear said his office has identified misleading online ads and received reports of scam emails claiming Kentuckians can receive monthly payments directly from the multibillion-dollar MSA. The solicitations proclaim Kentuckians, even if they “never used tobacco,” can receive thousands of dollars each month if they pay $5 a month or up to $100 a year to learn how.
Beshear said he does not want Kentuckians to be duped by ads that prey upon the nearly 20 years of positive impact the settlement funds have had in the Commonwealth.
“The ads and emails try to trick Kentuckians into believing something that is simply not true,” Beshear said. “MSA payments are made directly to states and territories, and in Kentucky they are used to boost investments in agriculture and help improve health outcomes.”
Individuals can potentially receive MSA funds through state programs or private lawsuits. Nevertheless, those who respond to the ads ultimately pay for information to learn how to purchase out-of-state bonds.
Beshear said the purchase of a bond is an investment, and Kentuckians should carefully investigate risks and benefits associated with any investment.
The MSA, reached between the four largest tobacco companies in the U.S. and attorneys general from 46 states, provides annual payments to the states ultimately worth more than $208 billion.
The funds help to compensate states for some of the medical costs associated with tobacco-related illnesses.
Since the first payment in 1999, Kentucky has collected over $2 billion, and is on pace to collect nearly $3 billion over the first 25 years of the agreement.
Kentucky’s Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee administers the determinations on grant applications from the agricultural fund, which aids farmers and creates sustainable farm-based businesses. Additional MSA revenues support early childhood education, health programs and cancer research.
Better protecting Kentucky families, especially seniors, from fraud is one of the core missions of Beshear’s office.
Kentuckians interested in staying ahead of scammers can sign up to receive Scam Alerts from Beshear’s office by texting the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or visit ag.ky.gov/scams to sign up with your mobile phone number or email address.
To report scams to the Office of the Attorney General call 888-432-9257 or file a consumer complaint online.