One East, Kentucky
One East Kentucky partnered with Downtown Strategies to provide support to 6 of their member communities. The partnership was made possible through the financial support of Kentucky Power and provided a variety of services to the participating communities. These services included an in-market Strategic Visioning Workshop, the development of a 5-year Strategic Action Plan, and a detailed retail market analysis.
Downtown Strategies also provided support to each community through Implementation Support services which focused on assisting the community leaders with jumpstarting immediate action from the plan.
Challenge
The journey began when One East Kentucky partnered with Downtown Strategies to support six member communities in their revitalization efforts. Each town received a customized 5-year Strategic Action Plan, informed by an in-market Strategic Visioning Workshop and a robust retail market analysis. This foundational discovery phase brought to light key opportunities in infrastructure, tourism, historic preservation, and business development.
In Hazard, the discovery process led to insights about streetscape improvements and the need for better code enforcement. Inez identified key pedestrian and cultural assets like the walking trail and public art opportunities. Jenkins, Pikeville, Prestonsburg, and Whitesburg each uncovered specific community needs ranging from public spaces to better town-gown coordination and trail connectivity.
Solution
Connection-building was at the heart of these efforts. Inez established a strong relationship with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, leading to a new downtown walkability plan. Pikeville and UPike forged new town-gown collaborations, while Whitesburg and Jenkins formed Action Teams to drive resident-led improvements.
Hazard engaged with regional and national networks—joining Main Street America and participating in tourism initiatives—while drawing national media attention through PBS News Hour and Strong Towns. These efforts sparked local engagement and broadened the visibility of their downtown transformations.
Results over 1 Year
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Results
Transformation took root through tangible action. Inez activated its downtown with a new stage and the Umbrella Alley public art project. Hazard hired a code enforcement officer, launched the Downtown Passport program, and saw six new businesses open. Jenkins began development of a new social yard, while Pikeville welcomed new retail and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure. Whitesburg began implementing street art and façade improvements to strengthen its downtown identity.
Collectively, the communities secured over $60,000 in additional funding, formed five local Action Teams, and applied for a $4.8 million AMLER Grant in Inez, catalyzing a wave of sustained development.
Year 1 Results
- Enhanced and repaired pedestrian bridge along the Inez Walking Trail
- Created the Umbrella Alley public art installation that included a mural, string lights, and overhead art installation
- Installed a downtown welcome banner & developing quilt square public art installations
- Acquired 2 historic properties (Old Deposit Bank and Rockcastle Church)
- Working to establish a downtown historic district
- Established a relationship with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC) which has resulted in the KTC developing a downtown transportation and walkability plan.
- Built a new stage along the creek in the downtown core which was made possible through local donations.
- Passed alcohol sales within the city
- Applied for a $4.8 million AMLER Grant that will fund the development of a downtown public space, pavilion, food truck and event space, and renovations to the former jail.
- Established a relationship between Pikeville Main Street and UPike which is resulting in better coordination of town/gown efforts, events, and the development of an ambassador program.
- Considering crosswalk painting installations
- New retail business has located downtown
- Formed 2 Action Teams focused on launching a Façade Improvement Program to spark private sector revitalization efforts and using street art and signage to connect the Tanglewood Trail with the downtown core.
- Formed an Action Team focused on creating a public social yard space adjacent to the library, museum, and downtown restaurant.
- Hired code enforcement officer
- Received a $10,000 ARC Flexi-Grant to fund downtown streetscape enhancements and Taxi Alley activation
- 6 new businesses have opened
- Envision Hazard established a Sign Grant incentive that is a $500 matching grant to downtown businesses.
- Launched a Downtown Passport promotion program
- Participated in Kentucky Tourism program that will add a tourism kiosk in the Hazard Coffee Company lobby.
- Receiving tremendous publicity through regional & national media
outlets:Free Press article by Sam Quinones
Strong Towns interview of Sam Quinones
PBS News Hour
Fox Network show “Searching for Heroes” Interview
- Joined Main Street America as a “Friends of Main Street” program
- Currently conducting a county-wide strategic plan which will incorporate the Downtown Strategies plan.