CLINTON COUNTY KENTUCKY USA Community Overview

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1 Community Overview ABOUT CLINTON COUNTY Located on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line, in southcentral Kentucky, Clinton County contains rolling hillsides bathed in forest green and brilliant blue waterways. This small, rural community is on the verge of major growth, due to the opportunities it has experienced as a federally designated Empowerment Zone. Leaders have utilized this status well and led to tremendous strides in both community and economic development. POPULATION YEAR AMOUNT , ,683* ,028* * projectedabout LAUREL COUNTY Clinton County is home to two man-made lakes. Both draw tourists from around the region for fishing and boating activities. All Photos by Al Gibson/Clinton County News UTILITIES Albany with 750,000 gallon per day. ELECTRICITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Windstream Communications serves Civilian Labor Force 4,618 Corporation serves Albany Albany and Clinton County with land- Employment 4,356 and Clinton County, and receives line telephone service. Cellular service Unemployment 262 power from East Kentucky Power. is provided by Bluegrass Cellular and Unemployment Rate 5.7% South Kentucky RECC and East Kentucky Cellular One, both of which maintain Power provide power at rates cellular towers in the county. Internet AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGES among the least expensive in the U.S. service providers include: Earthlink ALL INDUSTRIES (dial-up); Windstream (dial-up and Clinton County $ NATURAL GAS broadband) and Mediacom Cable (highspeed). Kentucky $ Gasco Distribution Systems, Inc. A cable television franchise for MANUFACTURING serves Albany and Clinton County both Albany and Clinton County is Clinton County $ with natural gas service. held by Mediacom Cable. LABOR Kentucky $ LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION SERVICES WATER MAJOR CITY DISTANCE (MILES) Clinton County $ The Albany Municipal Water Atlanta, GA 258 Kentucky $ Works serves Albany with a 4.9 million gallon per day treatment capacity. Birmingham, AL 289 LABOR Bowling Green, KY 80 Its source of water is Lake Cumberland Chicago, IL 445 EMPLOYMENT AVERAGES and has recently realized two expansions, including a doubling of treatment Cincinnati, OH 218 Equity Group, LLC. 1,530 Cleveland, OH 469 Patriot Industries, Inc. 95 capacity and a water line expansion Columbus, OH 325 Thoroughbred Houseboats 69 which allows the Albany Municipal Detroit, MI 481 Cowboy Charcoal USA 52 Water Works to serve approximately Indianapolis, IN 265 Blue Grass Cooperage Co. Inc percent of the county. Knoxville, TN 133 Gaddie-Shamrock LLC 30 Lexington, KY 119 Neal Lumber Co. Inc. 24 SEWER Louisville, KY 151 The Albany Sewer Company serves SECTION CONTINUES > This project is funded by a grant from the US Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.

2 Clinton County, Kentucky is located on Kentucky s southern border with Tennessee. AIR Local service is available at Spring Creek Airport, four miles south of Albany, which is equipped with a 2,400 foot paved runway, serving private aircraft. Other local service is located at the Monticello-Wayne County Airport, 27 miles northeast of Albany. It has one paved runway 4,000 feet in length. The nearest scheduled airline service is available at Blue Grass Field in Lexington, Ky. Nashville International Airport is also a close alternative, as is Standiford Field in Louisville, Ky. RAIL The nearest rail service is provided at Burnside, Kentucky, 46 miles northeast of Albany, by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. The Somerset/NS Thoroughbred Bulk Transfer (TBT) Facility, in Somerset, Kentucky. This facility is available for third-party users and warehousing is available. HIGHWAYS Albany and Clinton County are served directly by US127, a northsouth corridor and Kentucky 90, an east-west corridor. Both highways are AAA rated trucking highways. The Kentucky Department of Transportation is currently in the initial construction phase of the US127 Albany Bypass. Interstate 40 is accessible 49 miles south of Albany near Cookeville, Tennessee. Interstate 65 is accessible 70 miles northwest of Albany in Bowling Green, Kentucky, while Interstate 75 is accessible 79 miles east of Albany in Mount Vernon, Kentucky. EDUCATION AND TRAINING The Clinton County School System provides primary and secondary education to Albany and Clinton County. It also provides Early Head Start, Head Start and Pre-school services. HIGHER EDUCATION Inside Clinton County s boundaries are several institutions of higher learning. Somerset Community College s Clinton Center is located on Highway 90 in a new facility that offers many fields of study including: technical, construction and mechanics, with a specialty in nursing. Daymar College is located within the Albany city limits and offers two-year degrees in criminal justice, nursing and business, among others. Western Kentucky University offers classes in Albany at the Clinton County Learning Center. The Learning Center is equipped with several classrooms, including a long-distance classroom and a large auditorium. There are also many public and private colleges and universities within a short driving distance. Some include: Lindsey Wilson College, 49 miles; Somerset Community College, 55 miles; Campbellsville University, 79 miles; and Centre College, 86 miles. VOCATIONAL AND ADULT SKILLS TRAINING Additional vocational skills training is readily available in Clinton County at the Kentucky Area Vocational Technology Center, located adjacent to Clinton County High School. Among the fields of study are: health careers, business, auto mechanics, electrical contracting, welding and conventional construction. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT The area s industrial and economic development efforts are led by the Clinton County Industrial Development EDUCATION Authority (CCIDA). AND TRAINING The Authority oversees a large industrial park, which includes a fiberglass swimming pool manufacturer, a calibration corporation, a boat cruiser manufacturer and a social services/mental health care provider. The Clinton County Fiscal Court and the City of Albany work closely with CCIDA to further expand industrial opportunities there. SECTION CONTINUES > One of Clinton County s best educational assets is the Somerset Community College Clinton Center, a division of KCTCS, shown above.

3 COMMUNITY OTHER RESOURCES ATTRACTIONS COST OF LIVING The cost of living in Clinton County, Kentucky is lower than the national average. HOUSING Median house price is well below the national average. Single dwellings, duplexes and apartments are readily available throughout and near Albany and Clinton County. HEALTH SERVICES Several physicians operate private practices in Albany, including family practices, as well as specialty practices such as internal, pediatrics and surgical. The area is served by the Clinton County Hospital, which is a full-service ACommCO facility that is currently undergoing a $14 million renovation/addition that will result in it being one of the most technologically advanced hospital facilities in the region. Albany and Clinton County is also served by several dental practices as well as an optometry practice. MEDIA Albany and Clinton County is served by a weekly newspaper, the Clinton County News, which has been published continuously since Distributed on Wednesday afternoons by single-copy newsstand sales and to subscribers through the U.S. Postal Service, the newspaper currently has a total paid circulation of 3,750. WANY Radio is owned by Albany Broadcasting Company and operates a broadcast studio just west of the Albany City Limits. The station is both AM (1590) and FM (106.3), and broadcasts between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Golfers have a number of different courses to choose from in Clinton County. border with a concrete and earthen dam located 40 miles south of Celina, Tennessee. Dale Hollow is also home to the world-record smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, Kentucky bass, crappie, catfish and walleye. Activities enjoyed on Dale Hollow lake include: water skiing, scuba diving and recreational boating. Two full-service marinas on Dale Hollow Lake are located in Clinton County: Wisdom Dock and Wolf River Resort. Both facilities offer vacation opportunities with houseboat and vacation cabin rentals. Lake Cumberland has nearly 1,200 miles of shoreline. Grider Hill Dock, Inc. is a full-service marina located on Lake Cumberland in Clinton County, very near Wolf Creek Dam. Grider Hill Dock also offers vacation opportunities that include houseboat rentals, in addition to hotel-type lodging in its lake-view lodge units. In addition to Grider Hill Dock, Clinton County also boasts of having 76 Falls, a large waterfall that cascades into Lake Cumberland and is one of the most visited attractions by boaters on the lake. Lake Cumberland is also one of the most world-renowned sport fishing lakes with smallmouth and largemouth bass, Kentucky bass, crappie and cat- RECREATION Clinton County s biggest recre- ational asset is its location between two of Kentucky s biggest lakes: Dale Hollow Lake and Lake Cumberland. Both lakes are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dale Hollow is a man-made lake that straddles the Kentucky/Tennessee fish, as well as, trout. In addition, an entire fishing guide industry has developed on Lake Cumberland surrounding the abundance of striper fish that are contained in Lake Cumberland. Both Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake are also home to several nesting pairs of the majestic American Bald Eagle, and is also the winter home to several other migrating American Bald Eagles. Clinton County boasts an 18-hole golf course in the Duvall Valley Community (Mountain View Golf Course) and another 9-hole course in the central part of the county (76 Falls Country Club). Also, Dale Hollow State Park is a short, 20 mile drive for any golf enthusiast who would like to play an 18 hole championship golf course with beautiful scenery all around. Mountain View Recreation Park is one of the nicest parks in the area with picnic areas shelters, four basketball courts, three softball fields, a playground, and a walking trail completely circling the park. Another addition soon to break ground is a multimillion dollar Wellness Center, located in the industrial park, which will include an indoor olympicsized swimming facility, fitness programs, and other activities for all ages. Albany and Clinton County also has a very active youth sports program with baseball/softball, basketball and football youth leagues. COMMUNITY EVENTS The entire community focuses around two events held each year, the Clinton County Fair, held in June, and the Foothills Festival, held in October. FOR MORE INFORMATION Clinton County Industrial Authority PO Box 433, Albany, Ky (606) ; charlottekoger@alltel.net Clinton County Fiscal Court Lyle Huff, Clinton County Judge Executive 100 S. Cross St.,Albany, Kentucky judgelylekhuff@windstream.net City of Albany Nicky Smith, Mayor of Albany 204 Cross St., Albany, Kentucky ; albanycityhall9@mchsi.com

4 Labor Force Profile LLABOR MARKET AREA The Clinton County Labor Market includes Clinton County and the adjoining counties of Cumberland, Russell and Wayne. The map above is a visual representation of the Clinton County Labor Market Area. FUTURE LABOR SUPPLY New 18 year olds through 2009 Labor Market 5,100 Clinton County 473 ESTIMATED CURRENT LABOR SUPPLY Labor Force Unemployment Labor Mkt. 24,591 1,534 Clinton 4, Cumberland 2, Russell 8, Wayne 8, CURRENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATES CURRENT 2007 Labor Market 6.4% Clinton 5.7% Cumberland 7.2% Russell 6.5% Wayne 6.0% For comprehensive information on community resources, available buildings and low-interest loan information, go to

5 Financial Incentives SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (SKED) Financing of fixed assets is available through the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED). SKED may participate in financing of qualified projects with a secured loan of up to $10,000 per new job created, not to exceed $150,000 or 25% of the project cost, whichever less. These funds may be used to assist in the purchase of land, the purchase of existing buildings, new construction, or the purchase of equipment. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan, and is determined by the length of the loan. KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY (KEDFA) Financing of fixed assets is available through the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA). The Authority may participate in financing of qualified projects with a secured loan of up to $10,000 per new job created, not to exceed $500,000 or 25% of the project cost, whichever is less. These funds may be used to assist in the purchase of land, the purchase of existing buildings, new construction, or the purchase of equipment. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan, and is determined by the length of term. A ten year loan bears an interest rate of 5.0%, while the rate on a three year note is 1.0%, with both rates based on a monthly payment schedule. KENTUCKY RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT (KREDA) KREDA tax credits are available for new and expanding manufacturing projects that create at least 15 new, first-time jobs in economically distressed Kentucky counties. Companies must make a capital investment of at least $100,000 in land, buildings, fixtures, and equipment. Once a company is under a KREDA agreement, the company maintains KREDA benefits, even if the county loses KREDA status. Companies with projects approved under KREDA may receive up to 100 percent credit against Kentucky income tax liability on taxable income generated by the project(s) for up to 15 years. Unused credits may be carried for the term of the agreement. The company may also collect a job assessment fee of 4 percent of the gross wages of each employee whose job is created by the approved project and who is subject to Kentucky income taxes. KENTUCKY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ACT (KIDA) KIDA provides tax credits for new and expanded manufacturing projects that create jobs in counties. Companies must create at least 15 new, full-time jobs and make an investment of at least $100,000 in land, buildings, fixtures and equipment. Approved companies under KIDA may receive up to a 100 percent credit against Kentucky income tax liability on taxable income generated by the project(s) for up to 10 years, or the company may collect a job assessment fee of 3 percent of the gross wages of each employee whose job is created by the approved project and who is subject to Kentucky income taxes. Unused credits may be carried forward for the term of the agreement. Eligible equipment costs are limited to $10,000 per new full-time job. KENTUCKY JOBS DEVELOPMENT ACT (KJDA) KJDA provides tax credits for new and expanded non-manufacturing projects that provide at least 75% of their services to customers outside of Kentucky and that create at least 25 new full-time jobs for Kentucky residents. Companies with approved projects receive state income tax credits and job assessment fees for up to 50% of project startup costs and 50% of annual facility rental cost or rental value for up to 10 years. The company may collect a job assessment fee of up to 5.0% of the gross wages of each employee whose job is created by the project and who is subject to Kentucky income taxes. The employee receives credits for the fee against withheld state income taxes and occupational taxes. KJDA charges a closing fee of 0.1% of approved costs. Additionally, projects approved pay an annual fee equal to 5% of the total KJDA tax credits and wage assessments taken for the previous tax year, for a state research fund. BLUEGRASS STATE SKILLS CORPORATION (BSSC) BSSC, an independent quasi-public corporation within the Cabinet for Economic Development, provides grants for customized skills training of workers for new and expanding business in Kentucky. Grants are awarded for portions of an employer s costs of training Kentucky residents in job skills ranging from entry level to advanced, including retraining and skills upgrading of existing employees. BSSC works with other employment, job training resources, and financial incentive agencies to design a training program customized to meet the specific needs of a company. This publication is created by Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED). For comprehensive information on community resources, available buildings and low-interest loan information, go to