Gateway Area Development District's (GADD) Rowan County Senior Center received its new 2024 Ford Transit Tuesday, June 25. The vehicle was presented to the Rowan County Senior Center with a crowd of local elected officials, legislators, and state government personnel on hand.

Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) Division Director Marnie Mountjoy and Rowan County Senior Center Director Regina Thompson took to the podium to make the announcement. The new Transit-350 XL high-roof vehicle was purchased by GADD via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by DAIL. Judge/Executive Harry Clark, the Rowan County Fiscal Court, Mayor Laura White-Brown, and the City of Morehead authorized local funds to be contributed to the senior center program to complete the vehicle's funding package. The transit will hold up to 15 people and provide transportation services to Rowan County Senior Center participants.

After two unsuccessful grant submittals, GADD sought to utilize a portion of its ARPA allocation to purchase the Rowan County Senior Center vehicle. After receiving preliminary approval from GADD's Executive Committee, an official request was submitted to DAIL and subsequently approved by Commissioner Victoria Elridge and her team. Safety equipment and branding, which features the senior center name, contact information, and GADD's Aging and Disability Resource Center phone number, were included as part of the vehicle's cost.

"This is an exciting day for our county and senior center to receive a new vehicle that will provide transportation services to dozens of participants throughout the county," Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark said. "Ms. Regina Thompson does a wonderful job at the senior center, and we know she will put the vehicle to good use immediately. The Rowan County Fiscal Court is proud to be a part of this project."

"On behalf of the city, we appreciate the opportunity to participate in a project that will have such a positive impact on our community," Morehead Mayor Laura White-Brown added. "Great things are happening with our senior center program, and we invite all seniors to come check out the center and all it has to offer."
GADD Executive Director Joshua Farrow thanked those who helped make the project possible.

"This project is truly a collaborative effort from state and local governments and a responsible use of public dollars to invest in our aging population," he said. "We are proud of the commitments from our local government members, Judge Clark, the Fiscal Court, Mayor White-Brown, the City, and the Department for Aging and Independent Living. I would also like to recognize and thank the GADD Board of Directors for approving the use of a portion of GADD's ARPA allocation to purchase the Rowan County Senior Center vehicle. The board has a regional approach to all decisions related to the organization, and this helped ensure that the ARPA allocation that GADD received was spent and that it benefited citizens in the Gateway region."

The Rowan County Senior Center, located at 200A Heritage Place in Morehead, serves as a gateway to connect senior adults to vital community services that can help them stay healthy and independent.

The senior center is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding holidays and inclement weather days. Congregate meals are served from 11:30 a.m. to noon daily. The senior center provides various programs and services: Meal and Nutrition Programs, Information and Assistance, Fitness and Wellness Programs, Volunteer and Civic Engagement Opportunities, Social and Recreational Activities, Educational and Arts Programs, Outreach, and Transportation.

For additional information regarding senior center services, please contact the Rowan County Senior Center at 606.784.8466 or GADD's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 855.822.5307.