‘A fresh start.’ Two more projects slated for homes on higher ground in Eastern Kentucky
Two additional developments in Eastern Kentucky will provide houses for people affected by record flooding in July 2022.
With the projects in Letcher and Floyd counties, the state has now announced a total of seven “high-ground” residential projects in Eastern Kentucky in the wake of the flooding.
“Every Kentuckian deserves that safe place where they can get a fresh start and make new memories with their kids and grandkids,” Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday in announcing the two newest projects.
One, called the Grand View community, is a 92-acre site at Jenkins, in Letcher County, that will have an estimated 115 homes, according to a release from Beshear’s office.
The development will be off U.S. 23 near Jenkins and a prominent attraction called Raven Rock.
The land was donated by three brothers, Gregory, Garnie and George Johnson, according to the news release.
The brothers have a background in the coal industry and operate Johnson Industries International in neighboring Pike County, which supplies personnel carriers, sampling systems and other equipment for use in mining, airports, construction and other industries, according to the company.
“We are thrilled that it will benefit the entire community and look forward to seeing the stability of safe housing provide hope and prosperity for the people of Jenkins,” Gregory Johnson said in the release.
Jenkins Mayor Todd DePriest said that while the development will benefit people affected by the flooding, it is “just the beginning of building a resilient and sustainable future.”
The houses will be paid for in part by the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, which is funded by donations, and will work with FAHE Housing and HOMES Inc., both non-profit builders.
DePriest said there is an additional 140 acres next to the area planned for homes that could be used for other development. The hope is to have a park at the site and walking trails to connect the development to Jenkins, he said.
The other project Beshear announced will be at Wayland, in Floyd County.
The Wayland Volunteer Fire Department voted to sell the 4-acre site, where officials anticipate 12 houses can be built.
The fire department will look for a site for its training facility.
The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund will provide up to $100,000 for each home at the Wayland site for land and construction costs, and will work with the Appalachian Service Project, according to the release.
“There are many families who want to stay in Floyd County but are in need of a safe, affordable home,” said Walter Crouch, president and CEO of Appalachia Service Project.
Beshear also announced another $8 million to help build 33 houses and renovate one at another site in Floyd County called the New Hope development.
The residential developments announced earlier to create housing for people whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the flooding were benefit people whose homes were the Cottages at Thompson Branch, in Letcher County; Skyview, in Perry County; New Hope, in Floyd County; and Olive Branch and Chestnut Ridge, in Knott County.
The work going on at the sites includes installation of utility poles and water and sewer lines at the Cottages at Thompson Branch; designs for roadwork and utilities at Chestnut Ridge; and upgrading a water treatment plant that will serve Olive Branch, according to a news release.
The Team Eastern Kentucky flood fund has taken in more than $13.2 million in donations so far.
Efforts to build houses on higher ground above the floodplain is also being funded in part with $300 million in disaster relief money from the federal government, according to Beshear’s office.
The flooding in Eastern Kentucky in July 2022 caused 45 deaths and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes.
