Status
Open
Closing Date
December 2012
Location
West Liberty, Kentucky
QEI
$7.7M ($28.5M Project)
Description of QALICB
In 2012, West Liberty, Kentucky was decimated by a series of E-3 tornadoes. It was left “virtually unrecognizable” with six deaths and 75 injuries as winds of greater than 150 miles per hour overturned cars, leveled buildings and devastated the lives of inhabitants. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear described the scene as a “war zone” and one resident remarked, "The buildings are gone, but the town's still here." One victim of the storm later found her high school diploma 100 miles away. This financing helped rebuild several businesses, including the community center, and has begun the revitalization of this rural town. While every business and government building downtown were destroyed, the residents vowed to rebuild the community. Pacesetter CDE agreed to help with the rebuilding efforts. Pacesetter CDE’s allocation was used to rehabilitate and recreate the downtown, as well as build a brand-new health and wellness center.
Community Benefits
Pacesetter CDE’s allocation was used to rehabilitate and recreate the Morgan County courthouse, the Morgan County Community Center, and several support buildings. A new health and wellness center was also developed with the use of funds. The completely new health and wellness construction center includes an indoor pool, fitness and workout rooms, a walking track and community meeting rooms.
The construction created approximately 300 jobs. This project's primary focus was retaining jobs in the LIC. It was anticipated by County officials that the culmination of this project will result in saving 300 jobs. U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky said that this could be the largest storm recovery project ever in Kentucky. "We don't know of any project this size in Kentucky history," he stated.