Visit www.wkworkforce.work for more information.

​The Kentucky Pride Fund, administered by the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Waste Management, awarded 53 recycling and 28 household hazardous waste (HHW) grants, and five Composting grants totaling $4,619,960.00.  The Kentucky Pride Fund is funded through the $1.75 fee for each ton of municipal solid waste disposed of in Kentucky landfills. The grants require a 25-percent local match in the form of cash or “in-kind” personnel, educational materials, educational activities and advertising to promote the program from the cities or counties receiving the awards.  Pennyrile Area Development District provided technical assistance in the submission of applications for recycling and household hazardous waste grants.

Pennyrile grant recipients, along with the grant amounts are as follows:
Recycling Grants:
Christian -Pennyrile Solid Waste Management Authority - $59,633.00
City of Madisonville - $27,000.00
Hopkins County Fiscal Court - $84,512.40
West Kentucky Regional Recycling - $69,037.00
 
Household Hazardous Waste Grants (HHW):
Caldwell County Fiscal Court - $8,500.00
Christian - Pennyrile Solid Waste Management Authority - $10,000.00
Lyon County Fiscal Court - $10,800.00
Trigg County Fiscal Court - $11,500.00

​The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security has announced the recipients of funding under the Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP). In awarding these grants, KOHS gives first priority to providing and replacing body armor and second priority to providing firearms and ammunition, with residual funds available for the purchase of electronic-control weapons or electronic-muscular disruption technology and body-worn cameras. Pennyrile ADD staff assists numerous Pennyrile communities throughout the entire year in the preparation of grant applications to submit to KOHS for review.
 
Communities in the Pennyrile region awarded LEPP funds include the following:
City of Cadiz, $3,774.00 for Body Armor
City of Trenton: $502.00 for Body Armor
Christian County Fiscal Court, $16,675.00 for Tasers
 
Congratulations to those communities that were awarded funds under this program!  For more information regarding Homeland Security programs, please contact Angie Crawford or Ashley Johnson at 270-886-9484.

​The Energy and Environment Cabinet announced $210,123 in grant funding awarded for landscaping and walking trail projects using rubber mulch manufactured from waste tires.

The grants are from the Waste Tire Trust Fund, a fund established by the 1998 Kentucky General Assembly. It is funded by a $1 fee from each retail sale of a new tire in the state. The fund helps manage millions of scrap tires generated in Kentucky each year and helps develop markets for recycled tire products.

Pennyrile Area Development District provided technical assistance in the submission of applications for Crumb Rubber Landscaping grants.

Recipients are as follows:
Lyon County Fiscal Court $2,380 – Landscaping at Lyon County Courthouse/Lee S. Jones Park
Trigg County Fiscal Court $5,824 – Landscaping at Trigg County Senior Citizens Center 

Older Americans are our Nation's memory.  Some of today's grandparents and great-grandparents were born during the Great Depression, lived through the Second World War, witnessed the rise and fall of Communism, fought in Korea and Vietnam, marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., and watched the first man walk on the Moon.  Now, they surf the internet and share family photos on their phones in a world that is richer and freer than the one into which they were born.  Listening to the stories of our older citizens allows younger Americans to appreciate the country they inherited and gain the wisdom necessary to make it even better for their children and grandchildren.

As we celebrate Older Americans Month, we take the opportunity to thank our seniors and recognize the enormous contributions they make to the Nation.  Indeed, one of modern life's greatest blessings are the medical advancements that make it possible for older people to remain healthy and active well into the later stages of life.  We are blessed to have their presence, their love, and their unmatched perspective for our families.

Our elders also have an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference in our communities by sharing their talents, wisdom, and time.  America's seniors give back in a myriad of ways, working with children in our schools, providing assistance to the sick and shut-in, and inventing new and innovative products.  They have made our Nation stronger through their experience, knowledge, and willingness to share with others.

Finally, during this month we also recognize that, as we age, many of us will need more assistance from our friends and family.  We therefore recommit ourselves to ensuring that older Americans are not neglected or abused, receive the best healthcare available, live in suitable homes, have adequate income and economic opportunities, and enjoy freedom and independence in their golden years.  They deserve ‑‑ and we owe them ‑‑ nothing less.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2017 as Older Americans Month.  I call upon all Americans to honor our elders, acknowledge their contributions, care for those in need, and reaffirm our country's commitment to older Americans this month and throughout the year.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord  two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.


DONALD J. TRUMP

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​The Pennyrile Area Development District Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on Monday, May 8, 2017 in Hopkinsville, KY. Federal and State reports were provided by Rep. C.B. Embry, Jr., Rep. Melinda Prunty, Rep. Walker Thomas, Morgan Alvey/Sen. Mitch McConnell and Jason Hasert/Sen. Rand Paul. PADD Staff reports were provided by Susan Arnold, Housing Coordinator; Jill Collins, Pennyrile AAAIL Director; Sheila Clark, WKWB Executive Director; and Jason Vincent, PADD Executive Director. 
Guest speaker, Ms. Michelle Elison, Kentucky Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, gave a slide presentation overview of the 2020 Census Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation.  LUCA is the only opportunity to tribal, state, and local governments to review and comment on the U.S. Census Bureau’s residential address list for their jurisdiction prior to the 2020 Census.  Information was shared regarding who can participate, LUCA participation methods, confidentiality & security, and preparation.  LUCA participation is important because it will improve the Census Bureau’s address list in terms of accuracy and completeness, which is critical to the success of the Census.  A 2020 Census LUCA Schedule was provided.  

​The West Kentucky Workforce Board (WKWB) operates under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), Public Law 113-128.  The WKWB will release a Request for Proposal (RFP) on May 9, 2017, which will allow organizations to apply as the One-Stop Operator for the fiscal year 2018, July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018.  The West Kentucky Workforce Development Area serves the seventeen (17) western-most counties of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to include:  Ballard, Calloway, Caldwell, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg.
 
For additional information, please go to http://www.wkworkforce.work for the full RFP.  An intent to bid must be received by West Kentucky Workforce Board Director, Sheila Clark, sheila.clark@ky.gov, no later than May 17, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. CDT.  Groups submitting an intent to bid will have their questions addressed through a formal Q & A issuance. 
 
A pre-proposal bidder’s conference will be held on May 16, 2017 at 8:15 AM (CST), at the Pennyrile Area Development District Office, 300 Hammond Drive, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to discuss the release and the funding process.  Available funding for the One-Stop Operator is $50,000.00.
 
For additional information, please visit http://www.wkworkforce.work.  

​New workforce regulations now require a regional planning effort by combining planning activities of the West Kentucky Workforce Board and the Green River Workforce Board to produce a Regional Workforce Plan.  The first West Kentucky Regional Planning Session will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the JobNet Career Center, 755 Industrial Road, Madisonville.  Representatives from West Kentucky Workforce and Green River Workforce Boards, Economic Development, Chambers of Commerce, Education and Workforce Partner Agencies are joining together to discuss the regional labor market and devise a plan for regional collaboration and innovation.  The Regional Plan is due for public review June 14, 2017.  Please contact Cindy Massie at cindy.massie@ky.gov if you are able to participate in this joint effort.

​Date                                               Meeting*
May 9, 2017 10:00 a.m. CDT                       Full Planning Meeting (Staff)
May 15, 2017 10:00 a.m. CDT                 Full WKY Regional Planning Meeting
June 9, 2017 10:00 a.m. CDT         Full WKY Regional Planning Meeting
June 13, 2017                             Regional Plan Draft Release​

*All meetings will be held at the JobNet Career Center, Madisonville, KY.

The Pennyrile Elder Abuse Council is having a food drive to "Shop to Stop Senior Hunger" to advocate for Elder Abuse Awareness for the month of May, which is Older American's Month.  The PADD office is ONLY collecting 100 calorie packs (any brand) of nuts.  Please bring donations to the PADD office to Cindy Tabor.  The items will be distributed on June 15, 2017, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, at the courthouse square in Madisonville, KY during a day of advocacy for seniors.

​The Pennyrile Area Development District (PADD) will hold its 48th Annual Dinner Meeting on June 12th at the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

The annual event is sponsored by Planters Bank of Hopkinsville and gives all local officials, legislators, business and civic leaders, and others from throughout the Pennyrile the opportunity to celebrate the year’s activities and accomplishments. As a service organization, PADD has provided 48 years of leadership to the Pennyrile region providing the highest quality of professional planning, development, and implementation services in the areas of community and economic development, workforce, transportation, social services and public administration.

Special service awards will be presented to Board and Staff, along with the 2017 W. W. “Bill” Bryan Memorial Award. The W.W. “Bill” Bryan Award is in honor of the first PADD Board Chairman, W. W. Bill Bryan, who was instrumental in the formation of PADD in the 1960’s. This special award is presented each year to an individual or group of individuals who have made outstanding contributions and serve as great examples of the regional cooperation and leadership in various exemplary ways.

Harpist Carolyn Milam will provide music during the evening.

Our guest speaker for the event will be Ms. Vallie Smith Collins, a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549 that landed in New York’s Hudson River on January 15, 2009. Vallie will share the details of her experience during the flight and rescue of the event that has become known as the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’. In addition, she will share key learnings from the experience that will hopefully inspire and motivate all to treasure each and each day because ‘every day is a lucky day’!

PADD is one of fifteen Area Development Districts in Kentucky and is the primary regional planning and development agency for the nine county area of: Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg. The 39 member Board of Directors is currently chaired by Ms. Lori Harper, Citizen Member for Christian County.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Cheri Farmer at 270-886-9484 or via email at cheri.farmer@ky.gov by May 26th.

​The PADD Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on Monday, April 10, 2017 in Hopkinsville, KY. In addition to federal, state and staff reports, Ms. Marion Brown, Executive Director - Sanctuary, Inc. presented a Proclamation declaring April as "Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month" for the Pennyrile Area Development District. County Judges and City Mayors in the nine county Pennyrile region signed the proclamation dated April 10, 2017.

Guest Speaker, Ms. Juva Barber, Executive Director - Kentuckians for Better Transportation, gave a slide presentation overview of Kentucky's infrastructure accomplishments, challenges, revenue sources and goals looking into the future. KBT educates and advocates for all modes of transportation to promote a safe, sustainable transportation network that brings economic growth and improved quality of life to all Kentucky communities.

Marion Brown, Executive Director - Sanctuary, Inc.

Juva Barber, Executive Director - Kentuckians for Better Transportation

Becoming your own boss is hard but very worthwhile.  Be smart and investigate how best to put your ideas into motion by attending training classes being offered by the Muhlenberg Alliance for Progress and Community Ventures.  Click here to view/download the flyer.

​Board members from the Pennyrile Area Development District attended the 2017 Washington Policy Conference hosted by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). The group heard reports on the federal budget, economic and community development, and the prospects of funding through various federal programs that have benefited the region in the past. In addition, members met with representatives from Secretary Elaine Chao, Senator Mitch McConnell, Senator Rand Paul, and Congressman James Comer’s office to discuss general federal programs that we work with that support our communities, Fort Campbell, infrastructure projects surrounding I69 & development of that corridor, designation of the southern portion of the Edward T. Breathitt Parkway as an interstate, and other issues
impacting our region.

​L to R: Terry Stringer, Jason Vincent, John Mahre, Mayor Jan Yonts, Judge Hollis Alexander, Judge Wade White, Mayor David Jackson, Judge Ellen Dunning and Sam Dunning

​Nora “Mae” Ladd celebrated her 100th birthday on March 18, 2017 at the Renaissance Center, Cadiz, KY.  A party was held in her honor where Senator Stan Humphries presented her with a Citation in recognition of her 100th year birthday.  There were many family and friends from the community who joined in this wonderful celebration.  Cindy Tabor, District Ombudsman, was also privileged to be invited to her party in this celebration of life. 

​A delegation from Pennyrile Area Development District met with Secretary Elaine Chao at the U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Monday, March 20, 2017.  Discussion with Secretary Chao and her staff included I-69, Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway Interstate Designation, US 641, Land Between the Lakes and Infrastructure planning.

​The PADD Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on Monday, March 13, 2017 at the PADD Office in Hopkinsville. In addition to staff reports regarding Community & Economic Development, Pennyrile AAAIL, and West KY Workforce, Federal and State reports were presented by State Representative Walker Thomas, Rachel McCubbin/U.S Senator Rand Paul's Office, and Amelia Wilson, U.S. Congressman James Comer's Office. Mr. Gregory Copley, East KY Regional Office, UK Center of Applied Energy Research, shared information regarding an Energy Savings Performance Program with the Department for Local Government and upcoming High Performance Public Facilities Workshops on March 22nd at Hazard Community & Technical College and on May 24th at Madisonville Community & Technical College. Keynote Speaker Dr. Brian Van Horn, M.P.A., Ed. D., Associate Provost for Murray State Univeristy Regional Academic Outreach (RAO), gave a slide presentation overview about RAO as a regional service unit that provides lifelong learning to virtually anyone, anywhere. RAO has four regional campus locations providing 21 bachelor and master degree programs, 23 online programs, and an Integrated Studies program. Despite challenges such as changing times, budget challenges and peformance funding, Dr. Van Horn expressed his appreciation for making higher education a priority in western Kentucky.

The Pennyrile Area Development District is taking bids on two (2) 2014 Ford Interceptors in which have recently been declared as surplus by the PADD's Executive Committee.  

The approximate mileage on each vehicle is listed below:
Gray 2014 Ford Interceptor - 90,000 miles
Silver 2014 Ford Interceptor - 87,000 miles

Bids will be received through the close of business (4:30 p.m.) on March 31, 2017.  We are limiting the bidding to cities, counties, and units of local government.  No bids under $6,500 will be considered.  PADD reserves the right to reject any or all bids.  There will be no formal bid opening meeting.  All bids will be available for inspection after the cutoff date.

The vehicles can be inspected at the PADD office during regular working hours, which are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Please call either Jason Vincent or Alisha Sutton if you would like to schedule an inspection.

​The quarterly meeting of the Pennyrile Advisory Council on Aging met on March 8, 2017. Council members and guests received updates from AAAIL staff regarding programs, services, waiting lists and upcoming events.
The guest speaker was Doug Foster with Honor Flight- Bluegrass Chapter. He provided information and history on the Honor Flight and how Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam may apply.
If you know a Veteran who may be interested, please contact Jill Collins at jill.collins@ky.gov or call 1-866-844-4396.