Todd Fiscal Court approved first reading of a budget amendment Tuesday morning that would allow the county to match a portion of potential grant funding for restoration of the Historic 1835 Courthouse that now serves as a welcome center and museum on the Elkton Public Square.
Historic Todd County, Inc. is partnering with Green River Academy and the Milliken Memorial House to apply for a $3.3 million grant from the Economic Development Administration that is tied to tourism recovery following the pandemic.
While Green River is applying for $1.2 million and Milliken is applying for $800,000 for their respective facilities—Historic Todd County is applying for $1.3 million and requested that fiscal court commit up to $200,000 for the required local match—should their application be successful.
Randall Powell presented on behalf of Historic Todd County and says while funding would allow major work on all parts of the building, the crux of the project would be installation of an elevator.
Powell believes it’s the responsibility of the current generation of Todd Countians to maintain the structure that has stood the test of time and stands as the oldest courthouse in Western Kentucky.
The grant application process is being administered by PADD, Historic Todd County has committed to pay at least $60,000 of the required $260,000 match and Powell says they’re also committed to trying to raise more funding toward the match in the coming weeks and months, which would lessen the burden on the county.
Magistrates gave unanimous approval to an ordinance that would commit the $200,000 as part of a budget amendment, though they reserved the right to change their minds at second reading on December 10 if assessment of the county’s financial state shows the commitment to be too burdensome between now and then.
In other action, court changed the speed limit on Millen Road to 35 mph and approved ordinances removing all of Ware Road and portions of Harris Lane and Johnson Lane from the county road maintenance plan.
Click HERE for PowerPoint presentation from Historic Todd County, Inc.