Site Selection Process Begins For Future Letcher County Prison

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Posted: 12:58 PM Jun 20, 2008
Last Updated: 12:58 PM Jun 20, 2008

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WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers announced Friday that the Federal Bureau of Prisons awarded a contract to an international engineering firm to perform a site selection study for a possible federal prison in Letcher County.

A widely-publicized report earlier this year shows state and federal prisons seeing dramatic inmate population growth in 2007.

"The perseverance and dedication of the Letcher County Planning Commission is paying off," said Rogers. "The Commission rallied this community around a common goal of bringing a federal prison here. Our federal correctional facilities are bursting at the seams, and this is an important step in allowing the prison bureau to identify sites that address engineering requirements necessary to operate a first-rate prison."

The contract recipient, Louis Berger Group, Inc., is an international engineering firm with over 55 years of experience in managing large scale construction projects. The site selection process analyzes up to six sites within Letcher County. A detailed report, due this fall, will address technical considerations including topography, subsurface conditions, utilities, community services, cultural resources, property rights ownership, and hazardous materials contamination.

In 2006, Rogers secured an initial $5 million in Congress that has enabled the federal prison bureau to initiate the site planning and selection process and related environmental assessments for a possible Letcher County location. Upon completion of the site selection study that identifies potential sites for future development, the bureau can then proceed with a full-scale environmental impact statement on a new correctional facility.

Through Rogers' leadership and his role on the Appropriations Committee, three federal prisons have been constructed in southern and eastern Kentucky, in Clay, Martin and McCreary counties. These facilities support over 900 high-paying jobs. Rogers pushes for initiatives that increase economic development for the people in the fifth district.

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Posted by: G.W. Location: Virginia on Jun 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM
This prison will be such a boost for Letcher county, creating around 400 jobs, which 75% of them will be from the surrounding area, not to mention the boost to the economy. Plus, I am sure that Letcher County will join the other counties in Ky that have federal prisons and enact the Occupational Tax, which will generate $300-400,000 yearly for the county. This is a good thing, just wait and see.

Posted by: charles Location: lost creek on Jun 23, 2008 at 12:21 PM
I need 2 get a job

Posted by: Mike Location: pike county on Jun 21, 2008 at 11:12 AM
This would be great for jobs in that area. Face it people, there going to build it somewhere and we need the jobs here in Eastern Kenucky. I say bring them on,,thank you Hal Rogers..

Posted by: CRYSTAL Location: KNOTT CO. on Jun 21, 2008 at 12:39 AM
This sounds like great news for Letcher Co.,there will be good jobs to come with this. Generate a good tax base, if this comes to Letcher, you will notice that more business will be draw into the county. Ever business will pick up, more people will be working, this will put Letcher Co. back on the map. This has been in the works for years, i'am gald you guys are going to get it. I could only wish that Knott Co. could land something or anything that could provide jobs for our county. We are in debit so much, it will be years for a full recover,our county government chose to provide a place to play rather than to work. The damage has already been done and we Knott Countians will have to live with it. But anyway congrats to Letcher Co. for the great milestone you have achieved.

Posted by: mojoe Location: is risin on Jun 20, 2008 at 11:30 PM
well if they put in whitesburg the inmates will here good muzic well good thing about this if you got sum one in jail you wont have to go far to see them . so you two need to get a job so my check will come early an on time keep them checks rollin

Posted by: Ted Location: WHitesburg on Jun 20, 2008 at 06:28 PM
The inmates are just as good as the So-Called Church members that are ex-Cons, drug dealers, and bootleggers. We need more jobs here than the family only jobs in the court house. Friend, about the taxes, we need to have them here than some Glory Hunting president that has disabled thousand of Americans Military and Killed thousands of good men and women. All the taxes is going to other countries and You know that Coal will soon die here and there will be no jobs. Stop be ingornate and Grow up So-called Church member, Hell is moving in the area, Thank you and please have a BAD week.

Posted by: we Location: dont need on Jun 20, 2008 at 01:14 PM
this county is keepin up enuff trash as it is our county alone will fill it up how stupid 2 pay taxes on this

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