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Louisville businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and heavy flooding from Feb. 21 through March 21, 2018, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, officials announced Wednesday.
The loans were made available after the state of Kentucky on May 1 requested a disaster declaration by the SBA, which covered Jefferson, Hardin, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Grayson, Hart, LaRue, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties in Kentucky, and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana.
In Jefferson County, SBA’s representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center set up at T.J. Middle School’s First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road, to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. (Closed on Memorial Day weekend). The Center will close on May 31st.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets, according to SBA Kentucky District Director Ralph E. Ross.
For homeowners, loans up to $200,000 are available to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters also are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, according to the SBA.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Interest rates are as low as 3.58 percent for businesses, 2.5 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.8 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov. Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 23, 2018. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 22, 2019.
One of the largest off-road industry shows in the country, the Unlimited Off-Road American Show & Expo roars into the Kentucky Exposition Center June 1-3 in South Wing C and Lots B, V and W.
The Unlimited Off-Road American Show & Expo (UOR) showcases a huge collection of off-road companies, parts, equipment, gear and experts. Events focus on off-road racing, rock crawling, trail riding, sand sports, motorcycles, UTVs and ATVs, adventure camping and more. Visitors discover the latest products and innovations, get first-hand experience on demo rides, and meet professionals who live the off-road lifestyle.
Crowd daily favorites include:
- BFGoodrich Jeep Drives: Take a BFGoodrich Jeep on a specially designed off-road course
- Five-Acre Obstacle Course: bring 4×4 vehicle and tackle jumps, climbs, a mud pit and more
- Show & Shine Contest: show off vehicle and compete for cash prizes
- Racer Lounge: meet the racers
- Garage and Live Build: watch skilled technicians at work
- Over 200+ exhibitors: see new products, save with special deals
Show hours are:
- Friday, June 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday, June 2, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, June 3, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Sunday events feature a swap meet and trail riding)
Purchase tickets online at uorshow.com/ky. Prices are:
- Adults:
- in advance: $15 for a one-day pass $20 for a three-day pass
- at the door: $20 for a one-day pass$35 for a three-day pass
- Children ten and under are free.
- Additional packages and discounts are available online.
- Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit uorshow.com/ky.
Louisville Metro’s Office of Civic Innovation and Develop Louisville are seeking input from the public for an Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Playbook to help the city proactively prepare for the impact of autonomous vehicles on transportation.
The public meeting to discuss the playbook and potential strategies for integrating AV technology will be held on Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. at LouieLab (745 W. Main Street).
Though Louisville may not see widespread adoption of AVs for several years, it is important that the city initiates a conversation now on transportation values and provides an initial framework by which we can better understand the advantages and potential pitfalls of this new technology.
While projections of how, and how quickly, the technology will be adopted are still being studied, AVs are expected to have a dramatic impact on how people and goods move to, from, and around our nation. In anticipation of that, Louisville Metro is researching and crafting a policy framework that prepares for this technology while ensuring that mobility is enhanced in an equitable manner for all of Louisville’s residents.
The draft playbook lists five steps to guide the city’s approach:
- Ensure that major infrastructure decisions focus on safe movement of people and goods while considering the effects of AVs.
- Forge public-private partnerships to prepare for new regulatory and technological challenges, anticipate emerging technologies and establish best practices.
- Prepare for changes in parking demand.
- Ensure AV technology supports TARC operations to strengthen our transit system.
- Develop and maintain transportation technology and data infrastructure to provide enhanced safety and reliability while encouraging innovation and providing accurate information to people using Louisville’s transportation network.
To view the autonomous vehicle playbook and submit comments using an online form, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/autonomous-vehicle…
Louisville earned a bronze medal in an evaluation of whether its policies improve residents’ health and quality of life, according to the CityHealth initiative’s updated city ratings.
CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, offers a close look at whether the nation’s 40 largest cities have nine key policies in place that experts say help residents lead healthier lives and make communities thrive. For each of these nine policies, CityHealth awarded each city a gold, silver, bronze, or no medal, according to the quality of that policy. The group also awarded an overall medal to each city based on how many policy medals were earned.
The report shows which cities are leading the way on implementing policies shown to improve people’s health and quality of life. Louisville earned a bronze medal overall, meaning the city has a bronze, silver or gold medal in four of the nine CityHealth policies. Louisville is one of only five cities nationwide that increased its overall medal status in 2018. For more details on how Louisville performed in each policy area, please see the table below.
“Louisville has taken commendable steps toward giving everyone a fair shot at having a healthy, thriving life,” said Shelley Hearne, CityHealth’s president. “We hope this leadership continues. By adopting the gold standards of proven policies, Louisville can become the healthiest, most thriving place possible.”
CityHealth’s assessment provides more opportunities for Louisville to put policies in place to help make the city a more vibrant, prosperous place to live, and join 14 cities nationwide who have already earned a gold or silver medal. Louisville can show leadership by implementing these evidence-based policies that improve the well-being and quality of life for its residents.
CityHealth will update its ratings again next year. For more details on how Louisville stacks up against the other 40 cities, go to www.cityhealth.org.
CityHealth’s nine evidence-based policies address ways that cities can improve the health of their residents in areas of everyday life – from the workplace and school to housing and public transportation. Each policy is backed by evidence, supported by experts, and has a track record of bipartisan support. In addition to the medal ratings, CityHealth is available to provide technical assistance and support to cities as they advance these policies.
Louisville Metro Animal Services recently received a $40K grant from PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, to help reduce the pet population in Jefferson County. LMAS is using the grant to offer spay/neuter vouchers to Jefferson County residents, which can be redeemed at any Jefferson County Veterinary office or the Kentucky Humane Society SNIP Clinic.
“We are thankful PetSmart Charities awarded LMAS this grant so we can offer discounted vouchers to the public,” said shelter director Ozzy Gibson. “It’s another tool in our arsenal to maintain our hard-earned status as a No Kill Shelter for time and space. Reducing the pet population in Jefferson County is a key factor in keeping that title.”
By offering assistance for discounted spay/neuter surgeries, LMAS will increase in-house surgeries (2,700 in 2017) and those performed by outside providers. The voucher not only encourages responsible pet ownership, it helps reduce uncontrolled breeding of stray cats and dogs and allows LMAS to be proactive about future shelter overcrowding.
Female cats can breed up to four times a year and have an average of 4 kittens per litter. In just 7 years, an unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens; an unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce 97,000 puppies. With the grant from PetSmart Charities, LMAS can cover the entire cost, or provide a significant discount on spay/neuter surgeries for up to 400 cats and dogs in Jefferson County!
”By establishing this spay and neuter voucher program, Louisville Metro Animal Services is taking a proactive approach to preventing unplanned litters and reducing pet homelessness in the community,” said Kelly Balthazor, regional relationship manager at PetSmart Charities. “Not only are they advocating for lives of local pets, they are further establishing themselves as a vital resource for local pet parents, too.”
The voucher covers up to $100 of the cost to spay/neuter a cat or a dog. Vouchers can be obtained at the LMAS Animal Care Center located at 3705 Manslick Rd. Monday-Friday between 12-6pm, or Saturdays 11-2pm; or at Animal House Adoption Center located at 3516 Newburg Rd. Tuesday-Sunday from 12-6pm. For more information about how to obtain a spay/neuter voucher from LMAS, email animals@louisvilleky.gov or call 473-PETS.
Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering an affordable family golfing package at its ten golf courses during the Memorial Day Weekend.
For only $25, a family of up to four members can play nine holes at any Parks course. The $25 includes greens and cart fees, and families can take advantage of the deal after 4:30 p.m. on three days: Saturday, May 27, Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29.
Families are encouraged to call in advance to book a tee time at the golf course of their choice.
“Our courses are in great shape this spring, and we’re hoping for a lot of play from families this summer,” said Louisvile Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose. “Come out and enjoy a round of golf with the family on a great course at an affordable price!”
Louisville Parks and Recreation golf courses are open from daylight to dark seven days a week.
Photo: Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Service
With the arrival of warmer temperatures, KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living is once again teaming up with Louisville Metro Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens (OADC) to collect electric fans for seniors and persons with physical disabilities. The fans will be distributed to qualified individuals within the KIPDA region including Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Shelby, Oldham, Spencer, and Trimble Counties. Donations of new box fans will be collected through June 11 at:
KIPDA, 11520 Commonwealth Drive (Lou., KY 40299)
WLKY Studio, 1918 Mellwood Ave. (Lou, KY 40206)
Drop off hours are Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Monetary donations will also be accepted to purchase fans. Make checks made payable to KIPDA, Attn: Fan Fair Program and mail to the address on Commonwealth Drive listed above postmarked by June 11. If you would like to make special arrangements for a donation or need further information, please contact Sarah Teeters (502) 574-5092 at the OADC or Jennifer Craig (502) 266-5571 at KIPDA.
Last year, over 500 fans were distributed to residents in need thanks to fan or monetary donations given by community organizations, churches, businesses, and private citizens. Local station WLKY TV32 provided both on-air and on-line advertising, in addition to serving as one of the drop-off locations, and will provide similar support to this year’s efforts.
On June 16, a “Fan Fair” will be held from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Edison Center located at 701 W. Ormsby Ave. to distribute the collected fans to seniors 60 and older, as well as to individuals with physical disabilities, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Qualifications to receive a free fan will be:
- Person 60 years or older
- OR documentation verified by a physician of a physical disability
- Must be a resident of Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble or Bullitt Counties
- Proof of address and age will be required
- One fan per household
“We are excited to be partnering with Louisville Metro Office of Aging & Disabled Citizens again this year, helping older adults and persons with disabilities stay comfortable during the summer months, stated Barbara Gordon, director of the KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living. “I am proud of all of the community partners who support this effort and help to make it happen.“
Coinciding with the Fan Fair will be a health/resource fair open to all ages to provide various health checks and information from local area resources. Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness and LMPD will be on hand to facilitate a prescription drug toss so that attendees can properly and safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications.
“Our annual fan drive and fan giveaway event goes beyond just fans; it provides another avenue for our teams to connect with some of our most vulnerable residents”, stated Gena Redmon Harris, director of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services which oversees the OADC. “We are so grateful for all of the fan and monetary donations and various kinds of community support, and are looking forward to another great event this year.”
For more information about the fan donations or Fan Fair, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services or www.KIPDA.org.
