Close to $1.1 million is being distributed between west Kentucky communities to stimulate economic development after the closing of Paducah’s Gaseous Diffusion Plant.
In an effort to restore more than 1,000 jobs lost after the 2013 closing, the Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization was developed to mitigate impact.
This week PACRO gave $200,000 to Ballard, Graves, Marshall, and McCracken counties as well as the city of Metropolis, Illinois.
PACRO board chair Kevin Neal said these funds can be used for economic development only.
“We just feel this is a direct impact to our communities and those monies being handled by the fiscal courts or the city council to accomplish their economic goals.” said Neal.
The board also gave $50,000 to Murray State’s Small Business Development Center, $25,000 to West Kentucky Community and Technical College for workforce development and an additional $25,000 to the University of Kentucky School of Engineering.
Two walk-through metal detectors previously utilized at the the plant have also been offered to Marshall County schools. Neal said this was separate from the economic development funds.
