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The Carter County Fund:
For now and the future

To some, Carter County, Ky., is a bustling intersection, where a link to the "Double A" highway crosses Interstate 64. To others, Carter County is a very special place – home.

To the organizers and supporters of the newly formed Carter County Fund, the county is especially well positioned for significant growth. The fund, which has very broad purposes, will "carry out charitable, educational, scientific and cultural efforts that benefit the county and its people."

The timing of the establishment of the fund could not be better. The committee, which is guiding the fund, hopes to support the county's current needs and simultaneously look to the future. "It will provide a pool of money that a group or agency can go to for possible funding -- something that government doesn't have money for," says Tony Burnett, Gateway Area Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator.

"Think of it as something like our own version of a community fund. I think it will have the ability to reach out and touch people and things that otherwise wouldn't be touched," explains Dr. Paul Lewis, a local physician and committee member.

"While we've worked on establishing the fund for about two years," says committee chair Jack Strother Jr., a local banker, "the fund is very new to Carter County. I hope that people here in the county and those who are from here, but have moved away, will contribute to this fund. It is very important to understand this money will be used locally. Contributors can make a general contribution or one that is for a specific purpose in the county. I appreciate the freedom that our fund has, while still being a part of the Foundation for the Tri-State Community. For example, someone may wish to set up an endowment within the fund to address an ongoing need or they may want to address a one-time situation. We have a lot of flexibility," says Strother.

"It's important that there is a conduit for being able to make charitable donations," says committee member and local grocer Gene Case "Once people realize what our fund has to offer, it should grow. It also will provide a charitable giving and estate planning tool for the people of Carter County," says Burnett.

The committee has been and will be soliciting ideas from the people of the county. Ramona Howard, a local insurance executive, says the projected growth of the area makes the success of the fund even more important to the county. "With a new prison being built here, plus the anticipated success of East Park, the nearby, major industrial park, Carter County is being tested to develop the facilities and infrastructure for significant growth," Howard says.

"We've identified improved recreation and parks as an immediate, major goal for the fund. For example, we have a vision to have park facilities close to town where we can offer something for all ages – tennis, picnicking, baseball, walking trails, etc. "We want to get started on Main Street and Renaissance efforts here in the county. These may be sources of additional funding," says Howard.

The fund will work equally hard for the entire county, according to Strother. The fund will look to businesses and individuals to grow and sustain it. However, Strother says, "the Carter County Fund is not intended to be another fund raiser that competes with charitable groups, such as United Way. The primary goal of the fund, at this point, is to let present and former residents of the county know of the fund's existence and that it is ready to accept contributions and use those contributions as recommended by the contributor.

"We feel that, once residents and former residents are aware of the fund and its ability to administer various projects, both on a one –time basis and for ongoing projects through endowments, people who care about their county are going to respond. This response may be from both immediate cash or stock contributions as well as longer term commitments through wills, trusts, and other estate planning devices from Carter Countians who want to give back to their communities and make the county better for future generations," according to Strother.

Who knows, Strother muses, someone reading this brochure may be that special someone waiting for an opportunity to make an impact on Carter County!

It is easy to get to Carter County, Ky. Just get off Interstate 64 at either Grayson or Olive Hill.

It is just as easy to see that this is a county of great potential. There are major facilities being built in or adjacent to Carter County. But, what isn't so apparent until you meet the people, is that there is a growing, uplifting sense that Carter County's "time has come."

For individuals, perhaps it is that there is uncommon value – both in the land and in the people. Or, for businesses, that there is imminent, positive growth.

For me, it is easy to become enthusiastic because when I look into the eyes of the Carter County Fund's committee I see excitement, hope and great potential. I also see maturity, wisdom and "we can do it."

Working with each fund of the Foundation, like the Carter County Fund, is not a chore, but a personal pleasure. I say this, because I work with talented, concerned individuals who love their communities and the people in them.

This is certainly true in Carter County!

Sincerely,

Mary Witten Wiseman
President