Gov. Andy Beshear, Congressman Hal Rogers, other state leaders announce ‘1 Clay County’ initiative

MANCHESTER, Ky. (WYMT) - On Monday, Governor Andy Beshear joined other state leaders and Volunteers of America officials to unveil the “1 Clay County” initiative, which aims to boost economic growth in Manchester and the surrounding parts of the county.

“This is part of the promise that every part of Kentucky matters and we’re gonna make sure that every part is succeeding,” said Governor Beshear.

The investment initiative includes plans to bring unprecedented investments through federal and state governments.

“Together, we’ve already accomplished so much here in the Clay County region, but I know 1 Clay County is a blueprint for a truly new day for Manchester and the entire region,” said Jennifer Hancock, the President and CEO of Volunteers of America Mid-States. “We can’t wait to make real change and put these plans in action.”

Congressman Hal Rogers recently announced $2.2 million in funding for a farmer’s market and streetscaping and landscaping projects in downtown Manchester.

Governor Beshear and Senate President Robert Stivers explained $4.25 million in funding for housing, business creation, street upkeep/improvement, and expanding Volunteers of America in the region.

Along with this project, officials announced that the EKU Manchester campus would also be offering an associate nursing degree beginning next year, hoping to help combat the nursing shortage and offer more opportunities to those in clay county.

“When you think we’re 8,000 nurses short and we can educate our own right here in Manchester, for this town and the region, that’s significant,” said Senate President Stivers. “That’s really significant in doing what we need to do in healthcare.”

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