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Coca-Cola Consolidated and Louisville Parks and Recreation will host a public celebration of the newly refreshed Portland Park. The event will be this Saturday, October 21, starting at 11:00 AM. The Portland Park is located at 640 N 27th St.
Brief remarks will be made by Mayor Greg Fischer. The event is free and open to the public, and will offer food trucks, live music, face painting, crafts and more. Information about open jobs and joining the Coke Consolidated team will also be available.
“Louisville Parks and Recreation is pleased to see our partnership continue to grow with Coca Cola Consolidated, the Joey Logano Foundation and the KY Speedway,” said Ben Johnson, Assistant Director for Louisville Parks and Recreation. “This Family Fun Festival is a new event for us and we are excited for it to take place in the same park where we partnered to put in a brand new playground this summer.”
“Coca-Cola Consolidated is honored to partner with Louisville Parks and Recreation and the Joe Logano Foundation through our Big Hearts, mini cans program,” said Audie Wilson, Director of Retail Sales for Coca-Cola Consolidated. “Our mini cans might be small, but our heart for the Louisville community is enormous.”
Photo: Kentucky Cabinet For Economic Development
U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Governor Matt Bevin today announced a $2.55 million Abandoned Mine Lands Pilot Grant to restore and enhance the Portal 31 Exhibition Mine and create a scenic overlook and parking area at Black Mountain.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Abandoned Mine Lands awarded the grant to Harlan County Fiscal Court as part of the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Pilot Program to revitalize the coalfields in Kentucky’s Appalachian region.
The project will involve refurbishing the electronics and controls of animated figures, upgrading audiovisual systems, lighting, and control functions of the Exhibition Mine Tour, and fixing drainage in the exhibition mine tunnels and making structural repairs to tunnel roof structures. In addition, adjacent mine areas will be cleaned to accommodate a new walking tour and an additional mantrip vehicle will be purchased.
The Black Mountain portion of the project will create a new parking area with a scenic overlook, which will lead to a new walking trail that will take visitors to the overlook at the summit of Black Mountain – the highest natural point in Kentucky. A proposed 40-foot –high observation tower will provide a scenic view of Kentucky and Virginia.
The Lynch Bathhouse/administrative building adjacent to Portal 31, will be renovated to increase office space. The renovation also will provide space for a planned dulcimer factory and other crafts, a planned coffee roasting company, and enlarge an existing mushroom growing operation.
Congressman Rogers and Governor Bevin announced the grant Thursday at Benham Schoolhouse Inn, Benham, KY.
“We need to tell our story and celebrate our history in Eastern Kentucky on a larger scale, and this grant will highlight the rich heritage of coal production and the beauty of our mountains in Harlan County,” said Congressman Rogers, who has championed $80 million in federal funding for Kentucky through the AML Pilot Program since 2016, alongside U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
“We need to cultivate our tourism economy on a broader spectrum by improving and marketing the qualities that make our region so unique, like Portal 31 and the highest point in Kentucky on Black Mountain. Thanks to the hard-working and resilient people of Harlan County, the future for our rural economy looks brighter every day.”
In addition to the AML Pilot Grant, the project has received $650,000 local/in-kind funds. When completed, it is expected to create 20 new permanent jobs and increase visitors to Lynch, KY and the surrounding area by 40 percent.
“When it was built more than 100 years ago, Lynch was the largest coal camp in the world, and the newly-announced resources will help restore and preserve this unique part of Kentucky’s history,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and a key negotiator in securing the funding for this program.
“In addition to its benefits for the local tourism industry, the Portal 31 Exhibition Mine displays both the historical significance and natural beauty of Appalachian coal country. I proudly join Congressman Rogers in strong support of the AML Pilot grants to encourage economic revitalization and new jobs to Eastern Kentucky, and I look forward to the success of this project.”
“This significant AML investment will enhance tourism and economic development opportunities in Southeast Kentucky,” said Gov. Bevin. “These grant funds will enable Harlan County to showcase to visitors the region’s rich mining history as well as the scenic natural beauty of Black Mountain — the highest point within the Commonwealth.”
Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely said restoration of the mine tour is worthwhile because, not only does it draw upon Kentucky’s rich mining culture, it shows how the region is transforming itself.
“I am pleased that this Cabinet is able to be a significant part of the region’s recovery through this grant,” Secretary Snavely said.
The AML Pilot Program, funded through the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), is a joint effort by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Department for Local Government, the SOAR Initiative in Eastern Kentucky, the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Abandoned Mine Lands.
The Louisville Metro Office of Sustainability and the Louisville Sustainability Council (LSC) will co-host the fifth annual Sustainability Summit on Friday, Oct. 19, at the University of Louisville’s newly renovated Student Activities Center.
The Summit will feature local and national speakers and give attendees a chance to discover successes, identify opportunities, and creatively learn from each other about how to create a culture of sustainability in Louisville.
“For the health of our residents and our city, we must work together to embed sustainability in all aspects of our lives,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Please join the 2018 Sustainability Summit to engage with local leaders and stakeholders on how we can integrate sustainability into our community.”
The keynote speaker of the event will be David Orr, PhD, the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies & Politics, Emeritus at Oberlin College. Orr is the author of eight books, including Dangerous Years: Climate Change and the Long Emergency (Yale, 2016) and Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse (Oxford, 2009). The title of the keynote address is “The (Missing) Politics in Environmental and Sustainability Education.”
“This year’s summit will help call attention to creating a culture of sustainability, which is inextricably linked to a healthy economy and reduced carbon emissions” said Maria Koetter, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “From national experts to local practitioners, the event aims to engage citizens and generate conversations that will help cultivate a culture of sustainability.”
Emily Chandler, Executive Director of the Louisville Sustainability Council, said, “The summit is our annual opportunity to gather together under one roof as concerned individuals, nonprofit organizations, school groups, faith-based groups and sustainability professionals from the public and private sectors. It is a day for celebration, collaboration and exploration that cannot be missed if you are concerned about creating a culture of sustainability in Louisville, Kentucky.”
The event also features local speakers, including University of Louisville president Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, along with a facilitated community discussion titled “Creating the Future in Your Space Through a Culture of Sustainability.”
Summit attendees also have the opportunity to go on one of four sustainability-related tours through different areas of the U of L campus, including the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research and the new LEED Gold Belknap Academic Building.
The 2018 Sustainability Summit is proud to receive support from its Patron Sponsors: Yum! Brands and Humana; as well as its Summit Friend Sponsors: Brown-Forman, CMTA, PNC Bank, and Aramark; and its Supporting Sponsors: the UofL Sustainability Council, Festival of Faiths, Copper & Kings, WestRock, Harshaw Trane, K. Norman Berry Associates, Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, the Partnership for a Green City, TARC, UPS, Spalding Design, and Stantec.
At the day of the event, standard tickets will be $40 for Louisville Sustainability Council members and $75 for non-members. (There also is a lunchless ticket option that costs only $15.)
To register before the event, visit http://louisvillesustainabilitycouncil.org/2018-sustainability-summit/more-information-registration/
The Louisville, Kentucky Metro Government was recognized as the 2018 Green Leadership City, a distinction awarded by the Propane Education & Research Council, a Washington, D.C.-based national non-profit organization. The award recognizes the city for its adoption of clean, propane-powered mowers, among other environmentally-friendly programs that support the city’s highly-regarded sustainability plan.
Mayor Greg Fischer accepted a $5,000 donation from PERC at a celebration event at Sun Valley Park with city officials and Parks & Recreation Department employees, who operate the propane mowers regularly.
“The Green Leadership City Award highlights public agencies demonstrating a commitment to environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices, which the city of Louisville has shown by adding propane mowers to its municipal equipment fleet,” said Jeremy Wishart, director of off-road business development for PERC. “Louisville has set an incredible example for the rest of the region of what a municipality can accomplish when it decides that its environmental impact matters and takes necessary steps to reduce its carbon footprint.”
Earlier this year, Louisville added 11 propane mowers to its Metro Fleet Division, with plans to continue transitioning to propane equipment as the city’s 68 remaining gasoline mowers wear out. Compared to gasoline mowers, using propane reduces greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (NOx), and sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, which contributes to a healthier local environment.
According to the city, it will also cost approximately 25 percent less to operate a propane mower over the life of the unit because of the lower cost of propane.
“Propane mowers help us improve upon our long-term sustainability goals as a city while also being prudent with the taxpayer’s money,” said Greg Fischer, Louisville mayor. “Anytime we can make operational changes that improve the community’s quality of life while saving on costs is a win-win.”
The propane mowers are used by five departments that manage grass growth on city properties as well as vacant and abandoned private properties, including the Louisville Zoo, the Vacant Lots Division of Codes & Regulations, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and the Metro Facilities Division.
Because of their lower emissions profile, propane mowers allow city crews to continue mowing on Air Quality Alert Days, when mowing with both commercial and residential gasoline equipment is discouraged to avoid adding to ground-level pollution.
To learn more about propane mowers, visit propane.com/commercial-landscape.
Louisville Parks and Recreation has been selected for a Great Urban Parks Campaign grant by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Louisville Parks and Recreation is one of 10 organizations awarded the grant, which supports the development of green stormwater infrastructure.
Green stormwater infrastructure in parks offer an effective way to positively impact environmental and social change, especially within underserved communities. Projects can mitigate the effects of climate-related weather events, improve community health, increase access to green space and nature, and provide opportunities for education, employment and social inclusion. By empowering local residents through meaningful community engagement, projects can address community needs while meeting local stormwater management goals. The grant award issued to Louisville Parks and Recreation will be used to restore the pond in Chickasaw Park.
“There are practical reasons why this work needs to take place in Chickasaw Park, but most importantly, this turns the pond into a recreation amenity for families to enjoy,” Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose said. “We are thankful to NRPA for selecting Louisville Parks and Recreation, and are eager to get started on the project.”
“We are excited to see the positive impacts these green infrastructure projects will have in their communities,” said Lori Robertson, NRPA’s Director of Conservation. “Utilizing parks to mitigate flooding and other climate-related weather impacts is a critical strategy in protecting neighborhoods. We know from our past work that these projects also offer a multitude of benefits beyond environmental ones including improved community health, park access, and social cohesion. We’re looking forward to seeing those impacts multiply with these upcoming projects.”
The Great Urban Parks Campaign aims to demonstrate the social and environmental benefits of green stormwater infrastructure in underserved communities — including increased public access to recreational opportunities and access to nature via parks.
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1,898,727 in 13 agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.
State Investments:
- Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program
- The University of Kentucky was approved for an additional $500,000 in state funds for the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership (KALP) Program Endowment Fund. The mission of KALP is to identify, develop and motivate men and women for effective leadership in agriculture and rural communities at all levels of public service. For more information on this project, contact. Dr. Will Snell at (859) 257-7288 or wsnell@uky.edu.
- Farmers Market Structure
- The Hopkins County Extension District Board was approved for up to $215,000 in state funds and $35,000 in Hopkins County funds for the construction of a farmers market structure as part of the Hopkins County Farmers Market project in Madisonville. For more information on this project, contact Curtis Dame at (270) 821-3650 or curtis.dame@uky.edu.
- On-Farm Water Management (OWM)
- David and Mollie Appelman were approved for up to $68,502 in state funds and $1,000 in Mason County funds to implement water management practices on their farm under the OWM Research, Development and Demonstration project guidelines. Once implemented, workshops/classes will be scheduled to share information and demonstrate the practices to other farmers. For more information about this project, contact David Appelman at (606) 742-2485 or dappelma@uky.edu.
- Aquaponics Greenhouse
- LaRue County Board of Education was approved for up to $60,000 in LaRue County funds for a high school greenhouse. For more information on this project, contact Chris Thomas at (270) 358-2210 or chris.thomas@larue.kyschools.us.
County Investments:
- On-Farm Investments
- The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) offers 11 investment areas that give Kentucky agricultural producers the ability to increase net farm income, add value to their products and diversify their operation. CAIP benefits and enhances agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky agricultural products. Five CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $968,194 for Bourbon ($300,000), Bracken ($180,000), Jackson ($202,644), Rockcastle ($105,550) and Scott ($180,000) counties.
- In addition to these new approvals, an additional $18,000 was approved to enhance an existing CAIP in Adair County.
- Next Generation Farmers
- The Next Generation Beginning Farmer Program (NextGen) was developed to facilitate the growing need for a specialized program that would benefit producers engaged in an agricultural operation from three to seven years. One NextGen Program was approved for Bracken County totaling $20,000.
- Shared-use Equipment Program
- The Shared-use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis. One Shared-use Equipment Program was approved totaling $9,431 for Pulaski County.
- Youth Agricultural Incentives Program
- The Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (Youth) serves as a measure to facilitate the growing need for a specialized program that benefits youth actively engaged in agriculture. An additional $3,600 was approved to enhance an existing Youth program in Adair County.
Louisville Metro is looking for someone to donate the large Christmas tree that will stand in Jefferson Square Park through the holidays.
“Just like most families preparing for the holidays, we’re looking for the perfect Christmas tree,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “This is the main attraction at Light Up Louisville and it will stay up throughout the holiday season.”
The tree should be a spruce or fir, about 40 feet tall and well-shaped. The city will cut and transport the tree to its prominent spot across from Metro Hall at Sixth and Jefferson streets. Anyone interested in donating a tree should call Metro 311. The tree donor will attend the Light Up Louisville sponsor reception as a featured guest of Mayor Fischer for the Light Up celebration.
Light Up Louisville is held annually on the day after Thanksgiving. This year, the event, in its 38th year, will be held on Friday, Nov. 23.
The tree will be moved with the support of LG&E, Bob Ray Company and Louisville Parks and Recreation.
