Bluegrass Area Development District wins roughly $2 million dislocated worker grant to help Bluegrass Army Depot workers

The Bluegrass Area Development District announced on July 22 that it has been awarded a National Dislocated Worker Grant of roughly $2,000,000 to assist workers laid off from the Bluegrass Army Depot and related defense contractors.

The grant, described to the Madison County Fiscal Court by Bluegrass ADD workforce staff, will pay for short-term training, job-readiness services, internships and other work-based learning aimed at helping former depot employees transition to new employment. Rolly, identified in the meeting as a member of the Bluegrass ADD workforce team and the region’s rapid-response coordinator, said the grant covers "training, short term training ... job training, internship, work based learning" and is intended to "get them back to work." He said the grant also covers workers at related employers who were laid off, including workers at a Versailles employer, Yokohama.

Why it matters: Court members and regional workforce officials said the award is intended to reduce the economic impact of the depot downsizing in Madison County and surrounding counties by connecting displaced workers with local employers and paid training opportunities.

Bluegrass ADD Director David Dutlinger told the court the grant will be paired with rapid-response services and employer outreach. He said the district already runs virtual hiring events — including a recent "virtual premier" job fair — and plans an in-person job fair at the Madison County Fairgrounds in August where depot employees will be routed to interview with local employers. Dutlinger said the grant application was prepared by the district’s compliance staff and that the program aims to serve anyone employed behind the depot fence who is eligible for the dislocated worker program.

Court members asked about the source and size of the funding and were told the award is approximately $2,000,000. Rolly said the grant will be used for training costs and services to assist transitions, and that the Bluegrass ADD prioritizes connecting displaced workers with Madison County employers while also including other regional employers.

The Bluegrass ADD representatives said they will use the grant funds alongside ongoing rapid-response activities: outreach to employers, virtual and in-person job fairs, resume and placement assistance, and coordination with the depot and defense contractors to move affected employees to hiring events. Rolly said the district also helps workers apply for short-term credentialing and assists with enrollment and paperwork for federal programs.

No formal vote on the grant itself was taken by the fiscal court on July 22; the presentation was an informational update from the Bluegrass Area Development District.