Bell County Promise Zone Community Forum
What do you see as the assets and strengths of this community and the region?
Local government and community organizations work together effectively
Natural resources
Geologically unique characteristics
Natural beauty
Timber, natural gas, oil coal
A state park
Fish and wildlife resources
Lots of tourists visit this community and the region producing a $3 million impact just on Bell County
A national park
Diverse outdoor recreation opportunities
Adventure tourism
Historic and cultural tourism sites
Pine Mountain State Park now sells liquor
Rapidly improving downtowns
US 25
Stable property values
Some housing stock available
There is land available for different types of uses
Low cost of living
Artists, crafts persons and plenty of talented people in the county and the region
Small theater in Pineville
Trained and trainable work force
We do have some industries
We have a community college
We have access to a private 4 year college
There is are medical schools within easy distance
We have a pool of entrepreneurs and there is an entrepreneurial spirit in the community
There is an attitude of the possibility of change
Access to health care with 2 hospitals in the county
We have had a measurable amount of population growth over the last 10 years and have added 200 new families to our community
Our youth are committed to this community
The community supports youth achievements
What are the challenges facing this community and the region?
Lack of legal county wide alcohol sales
Lack of knowledge of what services, products and opportunities are available in the county and region
The stereotypes of the region and the people who live here -- both those imposed on us by outsiders as well as those that we have accepted as describing us
Transportation limitations, in particular, the road mileage distance among the 8 counties in the Promise Zone
We need more tourist attractions but more importantly, we need the infrastructure to capture the value of these tourists
Need an RV park
Need a full service camp ground
Need to replace the business travelers who came because of the coal industry with new visitors to our hotels
Loss of work ethic
Loss of hope
The loss of one coal job leads to the loss of between 4-7 other types of job
There has always been a trickle down effect in money, attitudes, and employment opportunities for this region
There are 1,000 people who work in Bell County but don't live here
The north/south division in eastern Kentucky has tended to lead to competition, but is also an opportunity to learn from each other
When new dollars arrive, the cooperation that is going on among the counties of the Promise Zone will disappear as all 8 counties seek to gain as much of the funds as they can for themselves
Our schools have faced a loss of tax base and state funding and therefore the extras that enable a school to do more for students
Loss of faith in the value of education as a way to improve one's life
What are some short term projects (0-24 months to complete or to initiate)?
Small business boot camp based on a program in Marion Virginia where grants are provided to jump start a business for those who complete the boot camp
$500,000 to create 25 new businesses and 100 new jobs
Tourism attractions and infrastructure
RV campground
Canopy zip line tour
Chair lift from downtown Pineville to Chain of Rocks - there already is a plan for this, only need funding to develop
Live drama at Pine Mountain State Park
Place to launch canoes on the river and place to rent canoes and to have livery services
What are some mid-term projects (24-48 months to complete or initiate)?
Physical fitness center as described by youth during youth focus group
Develop biomass energy for public facilities to reduce fuel load in the national forest and increase renewable energy use
