BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court is purchasing seven downtown properties in Inez for $550,000. Magistrates approved the expenditure of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation in a special meeting Friday.
Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty stated the goal was to revitalize the county.
“Many buildings in our cities are dilapidated—have fallen on hard times since the decline of the coal industry here in the county,” Lafferty said. “We think it’s important that at some point we begin to revitalize our cities. That means starting in Inez and Warfield by acquiring those old buildings, tearing them down, seeking grant funding and constructing new buildings.”
The judge added that the county would be able to lease the new spaces to businesses and shops, “bringing life back to our cities.”
According to Lafferty, the county has negotiated “for some time with several landowners.”
“We’ve come to an agreement with one of the landowners who owns most of the property—seven different properties,” he said, identifying R&J Development LLC as the owner of the seven properties on Main Street.
“It’s a big purchase and a huge step forward for our county and the city of Inez.”
Nunnery Appraisal Service of Prestonsburg conducted a market value appraisal of the properties. Appraisal documents provided by the Martin County Attorney’s Office did not include an itemization of each property but stated a collective appraisal of $557,500.
The properties include:
- 7 East Main Street: 0.32 acres & commercial improvement (PVA assessment $75,000)
- 21 East Main Street: 0.07 acres & commercial improvement (PVA assessment $25,000)
- 27 East Main Street: 0.06 acres (PVA assessment $15,000)
- 43 East Main Street: 0.39 acres & commercial improvement (PVA assessment $40,000)
- 43 East Main Street: 0.05 acres & commercial improvement (PVA assessment $25,000)
- 51 East Main Street: 0.07 acres & commercial improvement (PVA assessment $22,000)
- 0 East Main Street: 0.51 acres (PVA assessment $3,500)
“This is just the beginning,” remarked Lafferty. “We are also considering properties in Warfield and other parts of the county.”
In other business, the court:
- Approved a resolution to apply for matching grant funds for the Honey Branch Sewer Treatment Plant expansion. The facility is located on Johns Creek Road in Johnson County. It provides service to residents of Johnson and Floyd counties as well as the Honey Branch Industrial Park and federal prison in Martin County. (See the related story.)
- Paid a $15,875 invoice for HVAC installation on the second floor of the old courthouse.