Over $1.5 million headed to Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
U.S. Representative Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that $1.5 million in federal funds has been released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency. $137,200 in HUD funds will off-set construction costs for the organization’s new one-stop job training center and office building in Pineville, Kentucky. These funds, under the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) program at HUD, were obtained by Rogers in the 2008 Housing spending bill. In addition, HHS has awarded a $1,402,531 grant to the Agency to administer the Head Start program in these two counties.
“The Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency continues to provide vital services, child enrichment, and important job training opportunities. This facility is already assisting those in our community seeking to improve and expand their job skills and begin new careers,” said Rogers. “Secondly, no longer will area residents have to make multiple trips to different locations. This downtown Pineville building provides a one-stop shop for area residents, which saves time and money.”
The new Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency building opened its door in March 2008. The facility serves as an expanded training center for approximately 2,000 residents annually from Bell and Whitley Counties. In addition to the workforce development programs, the building has offices for Head Start, weatherization, housing assistance programs, PRIDE, and other client services.
The Head Start program provides comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. This national initiative also promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.
As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers works to secure funding for important initiatives in the fifth Congressional district.