Kentucky Recovery Act-funded Training Center Wins 2010 Spirit of Kentucky Award

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear joins Tony Wilder in presenting the 2010 Spirit of Kentucky Award to HUD Recovery Act grant recipient Kentucky Regional High Growth Training Center. (Photo attributed to the Kentucky Office of Creative Services)

During the 35th Annual Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville, Kentucky Department of Local Government (DLG) Commissioner Tony Wilder presented the 2010 Spirit of Kentucky Award to the Kentucky Regional High Growth Training Center. The training center, which was awarded critically needed Recovery Act funding of $250,000 through a HUD Community Development Block Grant Recovery Grant, was then able to provide the final piece of the puzzle to support all four Modules of the Lineman Training Certification Program, which is provided through the Somerset Community College (http://www.linemantechcenter.com). According to the Lake Cumberland Area Development District, as a result of the training certification program, the Recovery Act funding directly attributed to the creation of 13 permanent lineman jobs and is expected to create even more permanent jobs by employers throughout the state.

"We had many valuable, resourceful projects from across the state nominated for the award this year, but we felt that the Kentucky Regional High Growth Training Center was the best example of a collaborative public service effort," said DLG Commissioner Tony Wilder. "During times of economic distress, a project such as this offers help and hope. We are pleased to recognize their innovation and teamwork."

The award is presented annually at the Governor's Local Issues Conference and honors those projects that demonstrate cost-effective coordination of governmental resources between several federal, state, and local governmental agencies. This award recognized the training center's cooperative role in meeting the needs of the power distribution industry in the midst of the "graying of the workforce." The power distribution industry is facing the loss of 50 percent of electric linemen due to retirement within the next 5 to 10 years. The Kentucky Regional High Growth Training Center is providing a tailored curriculum so that the needs of the industry are met in a practical way.

"HUD is pleased that not only is the Recovery Act funding producing permanent jobs within Kentucky, but that we are also investing in the livelihood of citizens who will serve the entire Commonwealth," said HUD Louisville Field Office Director Krista Mills. Find more information on the HUD Community Development Block Recovery Grant on HUD's website.

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