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Appalachian Arts Center seeks $150,000 in opioid‑abatement funds to sustain recovery jobs program
Summary
Presenters told Knott County Fiscal Court the Appalachian Arts Center and Troublesome Creek instrument program request $150,000 to bridge flood-related rebuilding costs and preserve payroll supporting people in recovery; commissioners asked for more financial detail before committing funds.
Presenters for the Appalachian Arts Center and Troublesome Creek String Instrument Company appealed to Knott County Fiscal Court on June 17 for $150,000 in opioid‑abatement funds to cover a gap in flood recovery rebuilding and to sustain payroll for employees in recovery.
Speaker 7, describing more than five years of the recovery-focused arts training program, said the group maintains payroll and provides job training for people recovering from substance‑use disorders. "We have a $400,000 a year payroll," Speaker 7 said, adding the program faces a funding gap of "about a hundred and 50,000" to return fully to prior production levels.
Speaker 5 elaborated on the program’s history and metrics: the presenters said the program has leveraged federal and foundation grants historically (the transcript references more than $25 million in federal agency support across timeframes and an Inspire grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for on-site behavioral health training). They urged the court to "take a vote today and give a hundred and $50,000" to help bridge the gap while the facility completes inspections and achieves occupancy later this summer.
Commissioners asked follow-up questions about oversight, wages and whether a reduced amount could bridge the gap. Speaker 3 asked for a committee or oversight structure and whether a smaller amount might suffice. In response, the presenters said employees start at $15 an hour with annual increases and that any funding would help, but they asked the court for the requested $150,000 to avoid repeated shortfalls.
Speaker 1 thanked the presenters and said the court would "take into consideration" the request and asked staff to gather more documentation and cost breakdowns. No formal appropriation was approved on the record that day; the court requested follow-up materials and signaled willingness to discuss options, including smaller bridge awards.
The presenters also raised potential conflicts with newly discussed jail-based medication programs (speaker discussion on Suboxone in jails) and how opioid‑abatement funds may be needed to meet new local responsibilities; the court indicated it would evaluate eligibility and constraints of designated opioid funds before making a decision.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: court staff will collect additional financial details, and presenters left contact information with staff for follow-up.
