The Lewisport City Council agreed to pay utilities, including the electric
bill, for the fledgling Hancock County Campus of Owensboro Community
College. In addition, the city agreed to give $35,000 to help support
operations of the new facility.

The city council made the move after Hancock County Industrial Foundation
Director Mike Baker and Hancock County Judge/Executive Jack McCaslin
attended the Lewisport City Council meeting last Thursday evening, and
requested financial help for the project. The college occupies space that
formerly housed Independence Bank in the Lewisport Shopping Center.

Owensboro Community and Technical College, Hancock County High School and
other parties partnered together to bring the campus to the county.

"We need help funding the operational expenses," Baker said. "That is the
deal. We have to pay for the floor to be sanded and painted, we have to pay
utilities every month and we may have to hire a part-time person to answer
the phones. What we are asking you all to do, as the leadership of this
community, is to consider how you could help us through supporting the
operations of this endeavor."

Lewisport Mayor Chad Gregory voiced his support for the project, calling it
an investment in the community. Gregory said he expected the college to lead
to future development in that area. He then made a financial offer to Baker
and McCaslin.

"What about $35,000 right now?" Gregory asked. "If you need more, we will go
back to the table."

The offer shocked both Baker and McCaslin, as it exceeded their wildest
expectations. As part of his proposal, Gregory also agreed that the city
assume the cost of utilities for the college. Gregory then asked Baker and
McCaslin if they wanted the city to include the electric bill as part of the
utilities.

"It would help," McCaslin said. "Fiscal Court is taking care of the lease,
and that's about $65,000 to $75,000. Plus, we are taking care of the
telephones."

Baker told the council that he expected the college to enjoy success from
day one. He said a potential exists for up to 400 students to enroll in
classes at the satellite campus during the first year. He called the
facility a positive for both local industry and the Hancock County School
System.

He said it allowed the high school to move the Mechatronics class from the
bus garage at the central offices to the new facility. It also allows the
school to move the nursing program, and to allow local industry to send its
workers to the facility for needed training.

"It can be as big and flexible as we want it to be," Baker said.

Council person Josephine Hagan asked Baker if the facility offered a full
range of classes, or just a few at first. Baker said the first course
offerings include just the current vocational programs at the high school,
and training programs for industry. He said long range, the goal is to offer
as many different classes as possible, allowing Hancock County students to
take all their classes here.

"I think this is a great investment in the community," Gregory said. "It is
an investment in people's future."

Council person Charles Jacques asked if room existed to expand the college
if needed. Baker said several empty shops sit inside the back of the mall
that make excellent classrooms if needed. He also said land existed beside
the mall to allow renovation and expansion of the building at a future date
if the college grows.

Baker and the council continued to discuss specifics of the proposal.

Finally, Gregory called for a motion to approve the agreement. After
receiving the necessary motions, the council approved the measure.

"I want to thank this council," Baker said. "I appreciate your support for
this project. This is the type of thing our county needs, and it will be a
good thing for our county, and a good thing for Lewisport."