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West Liberty, KY (2013)

West Liberty Tornado Recovery

In 2012, West Liberty, Kentucky was literally destroyed by a series of E-3 tornadoes. This NMTC project helped the community rebuild.

Investment

  • NMTC Amount: $14,020,000
  • Total Project Cost: $28,500,000

IMPACT

  • 300 FTE jobs
  • 50 construction jobs
  • 4,000 patients served
  • Project includes a Federally Qualified Health Center.

Investor

Project Description

In 2012, West Liberty, Kentucky was literally destroyed by a series of E-3 tornadoes. It was left “virtually unrecognizable” with six deaths and 75 injuries as winds of greater than 150 miles per hour overturned cars, leveled buildings and devastated the lives of inhabitants.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear described the scene as a “war zone” and one resident remarked, “The buildings are gone, but the town’s still here.”

One victim of the storm later found her high school diploma 100 miles away.

This financing helped rebuild several businesses including the community center and has begun the revitalization of this rural town. While every business and government building in the downtown was destroyed, the residents vowed to rebuild the community.

PCDE willingly agreed to help in the rebuilding efforts. Pacesetter CDE (PCDE)’s allocation was used to rehabilitate and recreate the Morgan County courthouse, the Morgan County Community Center, and several support buildings. A new health and wellness center was also developed.

Community Benefits: allocation was used to rehabilitate and recreate the Morgan County courthouse, the Morgan County Community Center, and several support buildings. A new health and wellness center was also developed. The health and wellness center was completely new construction and includes an indoor pool, fitness and workout rooms, a walking tack and community meeting rooms. The construction created approximately 300 jobs.

This project’s primary focus is on retaining jobs in the LIC. It was anticipated by County officials that the culmination of this project resulted in saving 300 jobs.

MAP

Address: 518 Main Street, West Liberty, KY 41472

Census Tract: 21175950400

Voices from the Community

“We don’t know of any project this size in Kentucky history.”

-Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY) on the NMTC-financed West Liberty Tornado Recovery Project

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