Gov. Andy Beshear will be in Owensboro on Monday to speak during the groundbreaking ceremony for Carter Community Court, a new subdivision built entirely by Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County.
“This is such a special moment for our organization,” said Jeremy Stephens, Executive Director of the Habitat chapter. “We’ve been working toward this for 2 years and are finally going to get the project officially started.”
The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m., with Stephens saying it will be short in order to not interfere with anyone’s plans to view the solar eclipse. The event will host special guests Beshear and Daviess County Fiscal Court Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen. Attendees can park in the Consumer Mall lot located at 2930 KY 144.
The 10-house cul-de-sac will be located in the lot directly west of the Consumer Mall on KY 144 and will be home to a group of mixed-income residents, all of whom will have graduated from Habitat’s Homeownership Program.
“My administration is committed to helping Kentuckians address the issues they wake up thinking about, like affordable housing,” Beshear said in a release. “With the help of organizations like Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County, we are making great progress. Together, we are helping our people find a safe place to call home.”
The subdivision will be named Carter Community Court in honor of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter because of their years of service towards affordable housing.
“What many people do not know about the Owensboro-Daviess County affiliate of Habitat, is our founders were inspired back in the early 1980s by the Carters’ efforts towards creating affordable housing for all,” said Dr. David Danhauer, Habitat Board President. “In 1988 our organization was formed by a group of volunteers who saw what the Carters were doing around the country with Habitat for Humanity and decided it could be done in our community as well. As such, it is an absolute honor to name our first subdivision after Jimmy and Rosalynn.”
The local Habitat received an initial investment for the subdivision from the Daviess County Fiscal Court in 2022. Stephens said that after identifying the appropriate property, it became apparent the organization needed additional resources to get the proper infrastructure for the development. With the help of the Green River Area Development District, Habitat obtained the use of Community Development Block Grant funds for the development portion of the project.
“GRADD is honored to partner with the Daviess County Fiscal Court and the Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County on this project,” said GRADD Executive Director Joanna Shake. “There is a significant need in our region for affordable housing options and this project will help bring new housing opportunities to Owensboro and Daviess County”
Stephens said the community support has made this project special.
“I’m looking forward to announcing all the corporations, organizations, businesses, churches, and other nonprofits who have agreed to partner with Habitat for Carter Community Court,” he said. “Together we will build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable housing.”
