The Pennyrile Area Development District (PADD) board of directors approved the annual budget during their virtual meeting Monday afternoon.
Executive Director Jason Vincent told the board they projected revenue of about $18.2 million for the current year.
Of the $18.2 million, about $4.5 million will be used for operating expenses and the other $13.7 million will be used to provide direct services.
Budgeted revenues for the training and workforce development cabinet have decreased by 9.4%. The community and economic development cabinet will see more than a 12% increase in funding because of ongoing projects throughout the region.
In addition, Vincent added there will be over $66 million that will be used for various community projects. PADD will serve as a pass-through agency for those funds.
The board also learned more about a Briggs & Stratton National Dislocated Workers Grant that was recently awarded. Around $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Labor will be used to assist the dislocated workers from the closure of the facility in Murray. An additional $648,000 was awarded to the West Kentucky Workforce Board as Rapid Response Additional Assistance funds to provide career center resources. The grant will assist the 634 individuals and eligible spouses to help them secure jobs in high demand and emerging sectors with comparable wages.
The workforce board was awarded a Kentucky COVID-19 National Dislocated Workers Grant in the amount of $551,108 from the Department of Labor to assist workers impacted by closures, layoffs, and temporary layoffs due to the pandemic. The grant will utilize temporary employment and work experience related to the delivery of appropriate assistance, on-the-job training, short-term training, and career services.