PADD helps secure funds for western Kentucky projects

MAYFIELD, Ky. – The Purchase Area Development District (PADD) helped secure nearly $1.8 million in federal and state-backed investment for new public safety and community facility projects in partnership with local governments in western Kentucky. The projects will expand fire protection in the city of Clinton and modernize the Marshall County Senior Citizens Center in Benton.

PADD’s community development staff, including Community Development Specialist Kyle Rodgers and Director of Community and Economic Development Mattea Mitchell, worked with local officials to develop competitive applications and coordinate with state agencies.

“PADD’s mission is to help our communities secure the resources they need to serve residents effectively, and these projects are strong examples of that commitment,” PADD Executive Director Jeremy Buchanan said. “By investing in modern fire protection and updated senior facilities, we are supporting both public safety and the well-being of older adults across the Purchase region.”

In Hickman County, the city of Clinton and the Clinton Fire Protection District will receive a total of $935,000 for a new fire station and training facility. The city will receive $850,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, a federal program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administered in Kentucky by the Department for Local Government, and $85,000 from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (G.R.A.N.T.) program. The G.R.A.N.T. assistance will provide most of the local match required for the CDBG award, easing the financial burden on the community.

The project calls for construction of a new facility next to the existing fire department that will house a ladder truck and include space for a mobile training trailer. The building will serve as a local training hub for rural volunteer firefighters, reducing the need for long-distance travel to access instruction. By providing a centralized site, the facility is expected to improve participation and readiness while supporting joint training sessions with neighboring rural fire districts that rely on mutual aid. Construction is anticipated to begin in March 2026, pending funding schedules and completion of required environmental and design reviews.

In Marshall County, PADD partnered with the county and the Marshall County Senior Citizens Center to secure $850,000 in CDBG funds for a comprehensive renovation of the center located in Benton. The project will address critical accessibility, safety, energy efficiency and functionality needs that developed while the facility was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Planned improvements include modernizing the commercial kitchen, adding ADA-compliant restrooms, reconfiguring office space and transforming the main gathering area into a versatile multipurpose room for senior activities. Building-wide enhancements such as a new roof, upgraded HVAC system and improved lighting are intended to improve comfort, efficiency and long-term maintenance, while exterior upgrades will enhance safety and accessibility.

Once renovations are complete, the senior center is expected to reopen with activities such as bingo, exercise classes, arts and crafts, and communal meals. Local officials view the investment as a way to revitalize a key community resource and ensure Marshall County’s older residents have a safe, accessible place for socialization, nutrition and programs that support healthy aging.