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HomeNewsMontgomery County receives Federal Grant for Campbell Strong Economic Growth planning initiative

Montgomery County receives Federal Grant for Campbell Strong Economic Growth planning initiative

Montgomery County TennesseeMontgomery County, TN – Montgomery County Government is pleased to have worked with the Pennyrile Area Development District (PADD), Austin Peay State University, Workforce Essentials and the City of Hopkinsville, among others, to receive a federal grant through the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment.

This grant, totaling $393,000 and titled the Campbell Strong Economic Growth/Diversification planning initiative, is a multi-phased integrated effort to clearly identify and assess the impact of military personnel reductions and showcase the region as a crucial component of the national defense/national security assets.

It will also be used to develop a long-term economic diversification and growth plan that reduces the region’s reliance on Fort Campbell.

This plan will focus mainly on the core impacted counties of Christian County, KY and Montgomery County, TN, but will also consider impacts to adjoining counties.

Specific components that will be included are:

  • Asset Inventory (land, infrastructure, housing, education, economy, services)
  • Comprehensive Assessment of Personnel Reduction Impact
  • Workforce Supply and Demand Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Regional Economic Growth Plan/Economic Diversification Plan
  • Creation of a Campbell Strong website

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett states, “We are very excited to work with those in the PADD and to get this plan initiated. We all know the importance of Fort Campbell to our community and we certainly want it here forever, but we just had a very close call. If in the future something should change with it, through troop reductions or the economy in general, we should have a plan in place to be prepared. We were fortunate to not have to face major reductions right now, but the outcome could be different in the future if we face this again.”

He continues, “This plan will not only take into account Montgomery County, but all the counties adjacent to Post. The RFP will go out soon and I look forward to working with those in the PADD and seeing the results once completed in the spring.”

Pennyrile Area Development District Executive Director, Jason Vincent says, “This is an exciting opportunity for the region surrounding Fort Campbell to identify and implement economic and workforce development strategies resulting in long-term growth and prosperity. This is another way our region can support the men and women of Fort Campbell.” Vincent also says, “Regional partnerships, collaborating agencies, and the continuing supportive efforts of Senators McConnell (KY), Paul (KY), Alexander (TN), and Corker (TN) along with Representatives Whitfield (KY) and Blackburn (TN), helped make awarding of the grant possible.”

The RFP for this project will be released on August 1st, with an anticipated contract start date of September 1st, 2015. To be included in the RFP, contact Amy Frogue at amy.frogue@ky.gov.

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