The Lynch Grade School is a 1920s cut-sandstone landmark — built by a U.S. Steel subsidiary at the height of the world's largest coal camp and abandoned for nearly fifty years. The Tri-City Heritage Development Corporation asked RGI to help imagine its future.
A spec site for bourbon country
As the contracted third-party researcher, RGI produced the market and location analysis reimagining the 16,500-square-foot building as an open-concept speculative commercial site aimed at Kentucky's expanding bourbon and distilling industry — leveraging a documented natural spring producing more than 2,500 gallons per minute. RGI also identified the project's funding pathways across AMLER, ARC POWER, EDA, and historic-preservation programs.
Following RGI's work, the project was approved for Just Transition Fund technical assistance to advance grant preparation and site evaluation — a concrete step toward bringing the landmark back to life.
