Where: Hyden, Kentucky
Problem: Lack of potable water and sanitary waste disposal 
Solution: With Kentucky RCAP’s help, was able to receive government grants to fund a construction project
Our state tourism branch touts, “Kentucky is a place where spirits are free to soar and big dreams can be fulfilled. We relish competition and cherish our champions for their willingness to push beyond conventional boundaries to reach new heights of success.” Our experiences in communities scattered across the Commonwealth confirm the boast.
Even with the monumental decrease of grant funds, our communities are devoted in their efforts to provide potable drinking water and sanitary waste disposal to their residents. One such example is that of the city of Hyden, Kentucky. The project area contains approximately 244 homes, all of which have residential septic systems. The soils of the area do not adequately support proper functioning septic systems. The Leslie County Health Department received numerous complaints over the years about failing septic systems and raw sewage seeping onto lawns and into the roadways.
The project area is along US 421 North along Rockhouse, US 421 South in Muncy Creek, Laurel Fork Lane, Short Creek Road, Hurts Creek, Daisy Lane, Ash Lane, Morgan Lane, JC Osborne Boulevard, and Flackey Branch Road.
The City of Hyden obtained monies from a variety of funding sources: $274,000 loan and $468,185 grant from USDA Rural Development; $206,250 grant from Army Corps of Engineers; $500,000 grant from ARC; $1,000,000 grant from CDBG; and $51,565 from the flood grant from DLG.
The City of Hyden is very appreciative of Community Action Kentucky’s RCAP staff. Lonnie Hendrix, Mayor of Hyden, states “There is no way to explain how helpful Kim Padgett and the RCAP program are to us. I would highly recommend them to any other community.” Construction is on schedule to be completed this fall.