Old Jenkins School restoration needs $3 million more as committee seeks matching grants

The presenter on Heritage TV outlined the status of the old Jenkins School renovation and the community’s fundraising plan, saying the exterior (phase one) has already cost about $1,000,000 and that "We need three million more dollars." The presenter described the building as roughly 40,000 square feet and said the next phase — electrical, plumbing and interior repairs — will require a large grant.

The presenter said the committee holds about $500,000 now and plans to use that as part of a match to attract larger government assistance, explaining the matching-funds logic: "you can take $2 and we can turn...we can turn it into 10," meaning local dollars can multiply the grant award. The presenter added the committee has set a local fundraising goal of $300,000 to demonstrate community commitment and to help secure grant matches.

The presenter also noted the county bought property to provide parking and said handicap access is already being completed around the site. She emphasized that the building is a county facility and that showing local financial and volunteer support is intended to strengthen requests to candidates and to grantors. "It's not just a Jenkins building, it belongs to Lechro County," she said.

Next steps described on the program include continued local fundraising, asking candidates and elected officials for help after elections, and using sales of a new local history book as a fundraising source. The presenter encouraged supporters to attend tours and events so officials can see local commitment firsthand.