Webster County Fiscal Court

Amount Appropriated?

$2.1M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

This project will develop property and infrastructure to attract manufacturing jobs to a vulnerable area. The City of Providence is a designated Opportunity Zone and 37.3% of the population lives below the national poverty level according to the US Census Bureau. In the U.S. Census 2019 ACS 5-Year Estimates, the median household income for Providence was $26,129, which is just over half of the median household income of $50,589 in Kentucky. In 2018, the average median home value was $42,700, and 47.8% of occupied homes had a value under $25,000 (Webster County PVA Office). \n\nAs the coal industry has declined over the last few decades, coal communities such as Providence have seen job opportunities disappear. In 2014, Webster County was the home of four coal mines. The last remaining coal mine in Webster County closed in 2019, dramatically impacting the jobs and culture of the city. From 2015 to 2020, the Western KY coal workforce has decreased from 3,521 to 1,682 total workers. Additionally, four coal-related businesses - Central Auto, Clay Machine, West KY Steel, and DACO Machine - were forced to close after coal production ceased in the county. Two other related businesses - Custom Engineering and Wright Trucking - had to reduce their workforce. \n\nTo combat the impact of coal decline, Webster County Fiscal Court in collaboration with the City of Providence have proposed to develop a strategically located property with access to State Highway 670 and closely located to I-69, the nearest major interstate. The property is located approximately 10 minutes from the location of the latest coal mine closure, ensuring a similar commute for displaced coal miners. \n\nBy extending adequate water and wastewater services to the new property, the site will become more appealing to potential manufacturing investors, while also establishing a reliable system for all water and wastewater customers.