Lawrence County approves $15,000 donation to fund commemorative coins for 250th events

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 9 to donate $15,000 to the America250 Lawrence County committee to purchase 200 state-design commemorative coins as initial inventory for fundraising and souvenirs tied to the county's 250th anniversary events.

The donation is intended to cover the upfront cost of the first run of 200 state coins that committee members said they will sell to raise additional funding for events such as fireworks, a parade and related memorial projects. Commissioner Copley moved to approve the donation; the motion was seconded and carried with all three commissioners voting yes: Commissioner Finley, Commissioner Copley and Commissioner Holiday.

The committee's presenter, Rich, told the commissioners the effort will be run through a nonprofit the group created: "The funds will stay with America 2 50, Lawrence County, okay, which is a 5 0 1 c 3 nonprofit company that that we started," Rich said. He described the sales plan as a fundraiser: "Yeah. We're it it'll be a fundraiser," he said. The committee said the first coin run will focus on a state-design coin, with a later smaller county-specific run if sales support it.

Committee members and commissioners discussed unit costs, ordering minimums and market risk. The presenters said the coins cost about $14.06 each at the production estimate they cited and that the vendor requires minimum purchases (100 is a typical minimum; a modest additional per-unit discount was described for orders of 200). Rich told the commissioners the total startup cost for the two runs the committee proposed would be about $15,000 for 200 state coins and that additional sales could be used to finance subsequent county coins and other souvenirs.

Committee members also described a broader souvenir and outreach plan that includes small hand flags, 12-by-18 flags and lapel pins to distribute or sell at events, and the committee said some merchandise will be given away for free to children during educational activities. The group said some proceeds are earmarked to support the county's Memorial Day Parade Committee after the 250th-year events conclude.

The Board voted to approve the donation and authorized county staff to record the contribution. Commissioners clarified that the donated funds would go to the nonprofit America250 Lawrence County for use on the coin purchase and related event activity, and not directly into the county general fund.

The commissioners and committee members said they plan to evaluate sales and return to the board if further funding or orders are required.