The Tri-Cities of Lynch, Benham, and Cumberland — built by the coal industry in Harlan County, Kentucky — are rich in history but have weathered decades of population decline. In August 2024, RGI brought national Main Street and downtown-revitalization expert Billy Parrish, former Director of the National Main Street Center, for a two-day on-site grant-opportunity exploration with the Tri-Cities Main Street board.
A roadmap of fundable initiatives
RGI delivered a twelve-page roadmap: a façade and streetscape improvement program with Cumberland as a pilot, a housing initiative targeting 50 new homes in five years in partnership with Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, heritage-tourism expansion tied to the forthcoming Boone's Ridge attraction, a Looney Creek greenway concept, and short, actionable “micro-plans” for each town.
RGI followed the assessment with hands-on grant-writing support to help the Tri-Cities turn the roadmap into funded reality.
