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Court approves park and tourism grants and funds interlocal emergency shelter; designates potential Red Cross center
Summary
Russell County approved use of a $30,000 tourism grant for benches, bike racks, picnic tables and five signs (Greasy Creek Roadside Park), authorized a Main Street/T-Mobile grant application (up to $50,000) for restroom improvements, and approved an interlocal agreement with Russell Springs and Jamestown to contribute $1,500 each toward emergency shelter support and motel rooms; the county is pursuing a designated church site to serve as a local Red Cross-capable shelter.
Russell County fiscal court approved several measures to support tourism improvements and local emergency sheltering.
Tourism staff described a $30,000 grant that will purchase benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, four- and six-foot picnic tables (handicap accessible), wayfinding signage and a 9-by-9 entrance sign for a proposed Greasy Creek Roadside Park. The speaker noted final placements and the park plans are 'pending state approval' and said the funding 'will pay for this initial benches and bike racks and trash cans and, picnic tables as well as the majority of all 4 of the signs.' The project aims to encourage visitors to stop in Jamestown instead of bypassing it via the highway.
The court also approved a resolution to apply for a separate Main Street/T-Mobile Greasy Creek Improvements grant (up to $50,000) to fund restrooms and other park amenities; staff noted water is available at the site. Both grant efforts were advanced with motions approved by voice.
On emergency management, the court approved an interlocal agreement to fund short-term sheltering: Russell County, Russell Springs and Jamestown each will contribute $1,500 (about $4,500 total) to provide motel rooms and basic assistance for impacted residents and essential workers during emergencies. The judge said the county is working to designate a church (Greater Hope and others were discussed) that can serve as a Red Cross-capable shelter and explained that if volunteers are available, Red Cross will provide cots and food support.
Why it matters: the tourism grants are intended to boost local visitation and small-business traffic in Jamestown, while the interlocal shelter funding creates a documented short-term capacity to house displaced residents and essential workers during disasters. The court emphasized that ongoing coordination with the city of Jamestown and the sheriff's office will be required for park protection and patrols, and that final project elements are contingent on state approvals and grant rules.
Next steps: tourism staff will finalize designs and obtain state approvals; county staff will execute the interlocal agreement and coordinate with the Red Cross and local churches to establish a designated shelter site.
