By Columbia Mayor Pamela Hoots:
It has been a busy first few months of 2023 for the City of Columbia. We continue to have a lot going on with projects, grants, and the general day-to-day operation.
Grants
This year we have applied for several grants.
The City of Columbia is working on a grant with the Appalachian Research Commission (ARC). This grant is approximately $900,000. It will assist with gas line expansion for economic development, a new regulator station for expansion on the bypass, and new lines for residential and to the school system. The city received notification last month by the state that Governor Beshear and Commissioner Keene have requested a full application for the project, which is great news for our town. We want to continue to support economic development for future growth for our town and county. (Grant is 70/30) based on location.
The city has applied for a grant for $1.4 million that will allow for utilities, a pavilion, a meeting space for educational purposes, and more. This grant is a 100% grant. This is for the park area located on Burkesville Street.
The city had applied for PHMSA grant for replacing old gas lines. (100% grant). We were “highly recommended” and are entering the second submission. It is for $5 million.
On Monday, we voted to apply for a Community CFI grant (federal). This is for the procurement of EV stations for public access. We are partnering with a private company, (Franklin Ford), which is a grant requirement.
City Police
This year we have had two DARE graduations. Two of our officers are assigned and trained in DARE (Jimmy Luttrell and Adam Cravens). The two graduations were at the Adair County Middle School and the Adair County Elementary School.
Also, we were fortunate that Adair Countian, magician Lance Burton, performed at the Adair County Middle School for the students. He did a great job and the kids loved him.
The DARE trailer looks great. It is now in Frankfort, Kentucky, getting the final touches. We received a grant for this trailer and truck to pull it.
New Business
We continue to be so excited about the opportunities that are coming to our community. Aren’t you?
We have Zaxby’s that is scheduled to open sometime around Labor Day. Little Caeser’s will be opening this fall. Hooligan’s is expanding to the shopping area near Walmart.
Keystone Development just had a groundbreaking of their new retail center. They will have space available for four locations. A corporate AT&T store will be locating in that area.
A new Don Franklin Ford location is locating on the bypass. It will have around 26-28 new service bays. They are anticipated to hire around twenty employees.
Kay’s Diner has moved into the former Sugarbella location.
GRACIE Counseling Service and New Hope Counseling have had ribbon-cuttings in the last few weeks.
Last week, Save A Lot had a Grand Re-Opening.
On another note, Synergy Food Group is now supplying summer meals to some school districts in Kentucky. (They had an Art Show last week for the community).
Special Activities
Our fifth annual Paint The Town and Truck-It-Up will be held the last Friday of July. The last week teams will paint the sidewalks around town and they will be judged on that Friday. Tiffany is handling signup for the sidewalks and Sydney for the food trucks.
We are so pleased with the response to the Veterans Banners. We are happy to be a part of this event honoring our veterans in the community. We are at 67 and plan on 100 next year.
We have a Little Free Library outside City Hall. You can drop off books or pick one up. Jada is handling the coordination.
We will do another update in the next couple of weeks to talk about projects, parks and recreation, gas, city, and sanitation.
