BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority discussed potential economic revival, financial opportunities and other topics in a meeting Aug. 9.
EDA Director Carolea Mills updated board members on the cleanup progress in a meeting Aug. 9.
“We had some county employees and jail workers helping us,” Mills said. “We also recruited some teams to help. It’s a very large facility with a lot left in debris.”
Kirk advised that materials and Lite-pan panels left by the former occupant, tiny-home manufacturer Boxvana, were donated to the vocational school.
“Chad Williams took two tractor loads full,” said Mills.
The director will prepare a list of remaining items at the facility for the board to consider declaring as surplus property.
Mills informed the board that she contracted with local company B & B for grass-cutting services at $150 every two weeks. She also obtained estimates for blacktopping and HVAC for the board to consider.
The board entered an executive session to discuss a potential lease for the spec building. Upon returning, chairman James Ayers announced the board took no action.
In leadership decisions, Ayers was reelected as chairman for FY 2024, with Ryan Wilson taking on vice-chairman responsibilities and Ashley Endicott as treasurer.
In a move to boost the county’s visibility, Mills proposed a $5,000 sponsorship for a welcome sign on the old Martin County Jail, which was approved by the board.
Ayers commented, “This is something that pretty much every community has. I noticed Prestonsburg has one and Pikeville has a lot of stuff like that.”
The board gave permission to the Kiwanis Club to use the business center parking lot for the FTC Wrestling ring setup during the Harvest Festival.
Mills disclosed the conversion of EDA bank accounts to sweep accounts. This move increases annual interest earnings from hundreds to thousands. She also revealed her plan to renegotiate the savings account interest rates.
“We want to make sure that we’re good stewards of our money,” said Mills. “If it’s just sitting there and we’re not able to use it immediately, we want to make sure it is drawing interest.”
Mills introduced a proposal from Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty that the EDA use recaptured funds to finance a water check valve for the high school water storage tank. Mills noted the cost of the valve has risen from an initial $30,000 to $81,000. She also explained the EDA would require approval from the Kentucky Department for Local Government to use recaptured funds.
Board member Brad Pack expressed reservations about the steep price, prompting a call for Bell Engineering and Alliance Water Resources representatives to provide clarity in the upcoming Sept. 13 EDA meeting.
“Before we throw $80,000 at it, I’d like to know the benefit of having it,” stated Pack.
Amid discussions of immediate concerns, the board was also urged to think long-term. Relaying a message from Lafferty, Mills pointed to several billion-dollar grants aimed at coal-impacted communities. With matching grants like HB 9 on the table, Lafferty’s challenge to the board was to envision a comprehensive economic revival for Martin County.
Echoing this sentiment, Ayers emphasized the importance of a united approach: “We will certainly try to meet the judge’s challenge.”