Community Development Fund
2005-2006 Corridor Projects (48*)

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association is a 501(c)(3) organization that was created in 1987 to promote, expand, develop and market the existing and potential tourism industry throughout southern and eastern Kentucky in an effort to contribute to the economic and cultural growth of the region.

The 46-county service area of SEKTDA consists the following counties:

Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Greenup, Harlan, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Taylor, Wayne, Whitley, Wolfe and the City of Berea. 

PROGRAM BACKGROUND
During September of 2000, Congressman Hal Rogers formed a partnership with Kentucky’s Secretary of Tourism, Ann Latta.  Together they unveiled the Company’s Coming Tourism Development Initiative for Southern and Eastern Kentucky.  This Initiative is much more than just another plan.  Congressman Rogers is calling it “our blueprint for success.”

Company’s Coming outlines seven distinct programs to lead SEKTDA’s tourism industry down the pathway to a brighter future using tourism promotion and development as the catalyst to bolstering local economies.  They are as follows:

1. Create a National Marketing Program focused on the themes of History, Culture and Outdoor Recreation.

2. Develop and Market Niche Products.

3. Use Corridor Teams to work on Product Development and Facility Improvements.

4. Increase Regional Tourism Staffing.

5. Seek National Designations.

6. Support Projects of Regional Importance.

7. Sponsor Financial, Technical, and Continuing Educational Assistance.

Below are the names of each Corridor Team and the counties they represent:

‘COMPANY’S COMING’ FUNDING
Community Development Fund Program

Thanks to Congressman Hal Rogers, SEKTDA received a Small Business Administration Grant to assist with the implementation of the ‘Company’s Coming’ Tourism Initiative.  The Community Development Fund is not a grant program nor is it a loan program; it is an investment program.  

To date, nearly two million dollars has been allocated to the Community Development Fund Program. The 2005/2006 Community Development Fund Program allocations will be $25,000* per Corridor, for a total Community Development Fund Program Budget of $225,000*. *This budget is tentative and may be confirmed by April.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Eligible projects will:

• Spur economic development through tourism
• Increase the ease of traveling throughout the region
• Educate the traveler, general public and elected officials
• Enhance visitor services
• Improve traveler information gathering and simplify decision-making
• Produce corridor-oriented marketing strategy that is part of the overall marketing strategy within the region
• Provide continuing educational opportunities
• Contribute to the increase of new tourist destinations and new recreational opportunities (such as feasibility studies)
• Create driving exploratory programs

PROJECT GUIDELINES 

• Projects must produce tangible results 

• Projects must fall under an approved project category

• Corridor officers (Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary) and county voting members must complete both SEKTDA Hospitality and Leadership training (offered free for 06-07 year) by June 2007 for corridor to be eligible for CDF funds

• Corridor wide projects, sustainable projects and projects involving sustainable/viable partnerships will take precedent over other projects

• All contracts issued by SEKTDA to support the project, including small purchases, shall contain provisions set forth in the OMB regulations, as applicable, including compliance with the statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, and other standards and policies set forth therein

• Project leader, corridor coordinator and DCD will work together to complete the application

• Applications will be accepted twice per year –August 15, 2006 and January 15, 2007

• Previously approved projects must be in a state of progress before submitting an application for a new project

• Project leaders must coordinate all projects with the SEKTDA Community Development Director

• All projects will be implemented in full partnership with SEKTDA staff

• County’s voting member or proxy and project leader must be represented at a minimum of 50% of corridor meetings beginning January 1, 2006 to be eligible for funds

• Funds not committed (application approved and on file with SEKTDA) to a specific project by January 30, 2007 will revert back to SEKTDA for use at the discretion of SEKTDA following SBA guidelines
• All supplies and equipment purchased as a result of Community Development Funds is considered the property of SEKTDA throughout the SBA Grant No. SBAHQ-03-I-0050 period 
• Supplies and equipment must be used for the expressed purpose for which it was obtained 
• Upon the termination of the SBA Grant No. SBAHQ-03-I-0050 periods, with SEKTDA approval, the equipment may be retained and maintained by the property where it is located to aid in tourism promotion

SEKTDA’s Responsibilities

• SEKTDA will advertise, develop scopes of work, conduct pre-bid conferences if needed, negotiate and develop contracts, make payment…. and provide administrative functions.

• SEKTDA will prepare quarterly reports

• SEKTDA will assist applicants in completing applications

• SEKTDA will, with input from the project leader and corridor team members, choose the best vendor (s) for CDF projects following SBA guidelines 

• According to SEKTDA’s grant, SEKTDA will retain all rights on products, supplies, etc produced during the grant period

• Any and all funds remaining after May 1, 2007 may used at the discretion of SEKTDA  following SBA guidelines 

SELECTION PROCESS

• Corridor Teams meet bi-monthly and by a majority of the county voting representatives present decide what projects (project idea submissions) they will approve to be forwarded to the SEKTDA Board for Community Development Funding approval.  Teams must base their decisions on projects that will have a regional impact versus projects that will have only a local effect
  
• The Corridor Coordinator, Project Coordinator and the Director of Community Development must sign the potential project form (application) prior to submission to the SEKTDA Board of Directors
  
• The Director of Community Development will submit Potential Project Forms (application) to the SEKTDA Executive Director
  
• The SEKTDA Executive Committee will review the projects submitted
  
• The SEKTDA Executive Review Committee will make recommendations to the SEKTDA Board of Directors for approval
  
• The decision of the Board of Directors is final
  
• The DCD and Executive Director, with board approval, may make changes to projects if said changes benefit both the corridor and SEKTDA and meet SBA and all other requirements

Below is a project category listing of eligible Community Development Fund projects and activities:

Workshops/Seminars  
Allowable expenses include a facilitator’s travel, room, meals, stipend, and facility rental. Workshops/Seminars are limited to only those that will benefit the entire corridor and/or region. Any workshops using SEKTDA (SBA) funding must be offered free of charge. Hospitality workshops will use SEKTDA’s Shining Star/Leadership Program. All materials must bear the name of SEKTDA and mandatory SBA verbiage.

Equipment/Supplies –Educational Literature Racks
Educational literature displays must be approved by SEKTDA. These items will be used to provide materials for the traveling public.  Since all equipment/supplies/racks will be in the custody of the Corridor Teams, the participants must agree to maintain records for equipment/supplies acquired by SEKTDA.

Feasibility Studies  
Feasibility Study applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and limited to no more than $20,000. The applicant must demonstrate a denial of funding by attaching a copy of the rejection letter from a bona fide foundation or philanthropic organization or there are unreasonable time frames.

Video/Film/Audio/CD/Productions*
Projects must promote the entire Corridor and be used to educate the traveler or potential traveling public.  No commercial advertising will be included in any project. SEKTDA and 511 logos; SBA language; SEKTDA’s phone number and web site; The 511, America’s Byways and Kentucky logo (when applicable) must appear on all productions both in the credits and any printed material (covers, packaging, etc.). Duplications and updates of existing corridor video and audio productions.

Trail Enhancement  
Non-construction development of trails (SEKTDA cannot pay for any construction costs). Funds are for non-construction only, such as lumber for fencing or viewing decks, supplies for quilt block murals, surfacing (gravel, sand, etc. [no concrete or asphalt]), botanical materials (flowers, trees and shrubs-see beautification category for botanical specifications) directional and/or trail head signage (no “Welcome To…” signs)  for trails. The appropriate agency or landowner must approve all sign locations and provide a letter of agreement to maintain the site. Applicants must include a letter identifying the party responsible for the planting and maintenance of botanical materials. A letter from the party responsible for any construction and maintenance must also be included.

Wayside Exhibits and Interpretive Panels
Wayside Exhibits and Interpretive Panels will provide interpretation at designated non-profit or public facility locations. Sites must be pre-approved by the Corridor and approved by the SEKTDA Board of Directors.  Corridor applications must include a letter of acceptance and agreement for maintenance by the appropriate agency (site). All Waysides and Interpretive Panels must follow a consistent design format set forth by SEKTDA and include all required verbiage and logos. 

Regional Print Materials*  
Tour packages, maps, regional historical, cultural, or outdoor recreational tours and educational and directional literature.  Design, information gathering, printing and publishing are allowable expenses. Reprints and updating of existing Corridor Literature are allowable expenses. A brochure distribution plan should be in place prior to submitting the application. The SEKTDA logo, 511 logo, America’s Byways logo and Kentucky Unbridled Spirit logo must appear where applicable.

Downtown/County Beautification
Perennial plants and flowers, trees (at least 1” caliper trunk), shrubs (at least 1 gal container, where applicable) plant containers** and hangers**, seasonal flags** (include SEKTDA logo), benches**, and materials for mural paintings.  Beautification is eligible for towns already involved in a formal Renaissance on Main Program including the designated Renaissance area and cities participating in the SEKTDA CITY program. The CDF application amount must not exceed $2,000 per county and must be overseen by the county designated tourism/corridor representative. A permanent plaque or decal (provided by SEKTDA) must be placed in a prominent area of the project signifying SEKTDA as a partner in the project, where applicable.

* Printed materials will reflect the relationship between SEKTDA and the SBA in all printed products, publications, articles, media events, news releases, public appearances, interviews, public services announcements, and the like, or any other activity that is related to this project by using the following statement in legible, easily readable print:

“This U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Grant No. SBAHQ-03-I-0050 is funded by the SBA.  SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services.  All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.”

**These items must be consistent with any CITY, Renaissance or other approved revitalization plan where applicable.

RESTRICTIONS

Below is a list of non-allowable activities:

• Funding for Local Festivals

• Matching Dollars for Grants

• Entertainment, including Amusement, Diversion and Social Activities, and any cost directly associated with such costs (such as to Shows or Sporting Events, Meals, Lodging, Rentals, Transportation and Gratuities) 

• Fund Raising Activities

• Scholarships

• Lobbying

• Seed Money for Business Ventures

• Costs of Promotional Items and Memorabilia Including Models, Gifts, Prizes and Souvenirs

• Costs of Displays, Demonstrations, and Exhibits

• Billboard Advertising

• Material for “Welcome To…” signs

• Construction

• Pre fabricated buildings

• Building Repairs or upgrades

 2005/2006 IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• Potential Project Form submission dates
  August 15, 2006 and January 15, 2007*

• Project Completion Date
  May 1, 2007*

*All dates are contingent on the Funding Cycle being-March 2006-June 2007. If not these dates will be adjusted.