Local Government Support
LTADD provides the following local government support services:
GIS & GPS
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer program for storing, retrieving, analyzing, and displaying cartographic data. The real power of GIS is the analysis of systems and spatial data for problem solving. GIS can be used to create maps from this information and assist in understanding the relationships between things that have a geographic component. Lincoln Trail ADD uses their GIS systems to support many activities. These include things such as: resource allocation, incident reporting, site selection, demographic analysis, transportation planning, water and wastewater planning, needs assessment and more.
A GPS system refers to the equipment necessary to collect and document data received from the US Government’s Global Positioning Satellite System. Originally built to provide the US Military with extreme locational accuracy in conducting their operations, it is now used by many to collect positional information for any object on the earth’s surface. Lincoln Trail ADD uses their collection equipment to document various features in support of many different projects. We collect items such as roads and structures in order to provide accurate positions necessary to conduct our GIS analysis and map production efforts. Our equipment enables us to document a location on the earth’s surface with sub-meter accuracy.
Lincoln Trail ADD can provide technical assistance in developing and using GIS software and data.
Grant Programs

More Info: Dept. of Local Government ADF webpage
Availability: Applications accepted year-round
Contact Person: Krista Levee

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
More Info: Dept. of Local Government CDBG webpage
Availability: N/A
Contact Person: Ashley Willoughby

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
More Info: Dept. of Local Government LWCF webpage
Availability: N/A
Contact Person: Krista Levee

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal transportation funds benefit recreation including hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.
Funding Source: Federal Highway Trust Fund through KY Dept. of Local Government
More Info: Dept. of Local Government RTP webpage
Availability: Annual, closes in February
Contact Person: Krista Levee

The FAST Act converts the long-standing Surface Transportation Program into the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program acknowledging that this program has the most flexible eligibilities among all Federal-aid highway programs and aligning the programe’s name with how FHWA has historically administered it. [FAST Act § 1109(a)]. The STBG promotes flexibility in State and local transportation decisions and provides flexible funding to best address State and local transportation needs.
More Info: Federal Highway Adminstration FAST webpage
Contact Person: Mike Skaggs
Hazard Mitigation
Hazards are unpreventable natural events that, by their nature, may expose our population to the risk of death or injury and may damage or destroy private property, societal infrastructure, and agriculture or other developed land
Hazard mitigation planning is the process of determining how to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property damage resulting from natural and human-caused hazards
Lincoln Trail Area Development District developed the original regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan was formally adopted by the eight counties and 27 cities in the area and received official approval from FEMA September 8, 2005. Inclusion in the plan is vital for each of these jurisdictions listed above to be eligible for FEMA related grant funds.
The current plan is the third version, completed in 2015: LTADD Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. A new plan will be prepared in 2020 per the 5 year update cycle required by FEMA.
For information on local disaster declarations, mitigation activities or mitigation grant programs please visit the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.
The 2015 Hazard Mitigation Plan involved a major rewrite of the entire document. It was approved by FEMA in a letter dated December 6, 2016 and validated the plan for use thru December 6, 2021.
The 2015 update process was kicked off on January 29th, 2015 at the City of Muldraugh’s Safe Room. The Safe Room, a showcase hazard mitigation project, was completed in 2013 with Federal, State and Local funds totaling over 1.17 million dollars. It is designed to withstand 250 mph winds while providing shelter for 1,000 citizens during a tornado or similar quick hitting event.
To see other completed mitigation projects in our region visit our Story Map HERE
The participating jurisdictions are hereby eligible applications through the State for the following mitigation grant programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
- Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)
- Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL)
- Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
- Repetitive Flood Claims (RPC)
Further Information
Land Use & Planning
LTADD provides assistance to counties and cites who wish to create or maintain planning commissions and zoning ordinances. Creation or updates of comprehensive plans, land use and zoning maps, or assistance in writing ordinances are some of the areas we can assist communities with.
The following counties have Planning & Zoning Commissions in place:
- Hardin County
- LaRue County (joint w/cities)
- Meade County
- Nelson County (joint w/cities)
- Washington County
The following incorporated cites have Planning & Zoning Commissions in place:
- Bardstown (joint w/Nelson County)
- Bloomfield (joint w/Nelson County)
- Bradfordsville
- Brandenburg
- Cloverport
- Elizabethtown
- Fairfield (joint w/Nelson County)
- Hardinsburg
- Hodgenville (joint w/LaRue County)
- Irvington
- Lebanon
- Leitchfield
- Muldraugh
- New Haven (joint w/Nelson County)
- Radcliff
- Springfield
- Vine Grove
- West Point
Public Administration
Public Administration services strongly supports the ADD’s commitment to enhancing the management and administrative capabilities of its local units of government in order to strengthen their ability to provide optimal service to all citizens within our area.
We do this in several ways. LTADD provides assistance to local units of government in areas of financial administration, general management, personnel issues, preparation of ordinances and resolutions, land use planning, and training for local officials. We provide assistance on an as requested basis and through our work with the Lincoln Trail Municipal Clerks Association.
We work with local communities to bring important projects to fruition and to identify sources of funding. We advise local governments of grant opportunities and assist and/or prepare grant applications.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
LTADD provides local units of government with information concerning funding opportunities for local projects through the Kentucky Small Cities CDBG program. LTADD provides technical assistance, grant preparation and grant administration for the CDBG program.
Community Emergency Relief Fund (CDBG-CERF)
LTADD disseminates information about the availability of CDBG funds to assist local units of government in recovering from a declared disaster. LTADD provides technical assistance, grant preparation and grant administration for the CDBG-CERF program.
CDBG-R: CDBG (America’s Recovery & Reinvestment Act)
LTADD assisted the Department for Local Government in the dissemination of stimulus money following the recent economic downturn. LTADD provided technical assistance, grant preparation and administration, as well as reporting requirements for the CDBG-R program.
NSP: Neighborhood Stabilization Plan
LTADD advised local units of government of the availability of housing funds through the NSP program. LTADD provided technical assistance and grant preparation for the NSP Program
Homeland Security
LTADD organized and prepared the first regional Homeland Security Grant in the State. LTADD provided technical assistance, grant preparation and administration, and all completed all reporting requirements.
Recreational Trails Program (RTP)/ Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
LTADD advises local units of government of the availability of funding opportunities. We provide technical assistance and grant preparation for both the RTP and LWCF programs.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation-NOT Dependent on Disaster Declaration
LTADD provides information on the availability of funds and the preparation of projects that help local units of government protect the health and safety of their constituents.
Hazard Mitigation-Dependent on a Disaster Declaration
LTADD works with local units of government to mitigate loss of property and life following a declared disaster. We assist in the preparation of grant applications and administration of funded projects.
Firefighters Assistance
LTADD provides technical assistance, answers questions and prepares applications for local agencies interested in the program.
Economic Development Initiatives (EDI)
LTADD assists local units of government seeking project funding through an EDI.LTADD assists local units of government with numerous State programs that have been temporarily initiated, such as CEGG (Community Economic Growth Grant) and the Waste Tire Disposal Program
ADF (Area Development Funds)
LTADD administers the ADF program and assists local units of government in the development, application process and closeout of ADF projects.During FISCAL YEAR ending June 30, 2009 LTADD administered over $45,000 to 13 local units of government.
Land Use
LTADD assists with many land use programs. They include, but are not limited to the following:
- Comprehensive Plan updates
- Land use issues
- HB55 training: This is a mandatory training requirement for members of planning & zoning commissions and boards of adjustment
- JLUS (Joint Land Use Study): A cooperative effort between Fort Knox and all of its contiguous neighbors to implement land use planning that facilitates the ability of Fort Knox to maintain its training missions and avoid incompatible land use issues. During the Summer of 2008, LTAFF finished the JLUS Update. LTADD hosts regular meetings of the JLUS Technical Committee
- ACUB (Army Compatible Use Buffer): We are administering the Fort Knox ACUB program in an effort to preclude development on land within one-mile of the current FK boundaries and to facilitate land use within the area that is compatible with Fort Knox and its training missions.
Training
LTADD facilitates many training opportunities throughout each year including but not limited to:
- Budget Workshops
- HB55
- Sexual Harassment
- Workplace Diversity
- Wage & Hour
- IRS
- FMLA
- AND
- Workman’s Comp
Clerks
LTADD hosts one of the most active Municipal Clerks Associations in the Commonwealth and assists in their monthly meetings and trainings.
Collaborative Effort
We work closely with the Department for Local Government (DLG), State and Federal Agencies along with our local units of government to facilitate the delivery of improved services, and to accumulate pertinent information.
Technology Recycling
|
Transportation
Transportation planning focuses on the development of an efficient, economical, and safe transportation system. Planners in the field strive to find and implement solutions to the problems of congestion, outdated or inadequate facilities, and unsafe transportation conditions.
MPO Information (click to view)
Transportation Maps
Data/Research Information
- KYTC Highway Plan
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Highway – District Office #4
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Planning
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Office of Local Programs
- Federal Highway Administration, Kentucky Division
- State Functional Classification System
- State Primary Road System
- Traffic Counts
- Kentucky Transportation Center at the University of Kentucky
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics (USDOT)
- Federal Highway Administration
- Census Transportation Planning Products (USDOT w/ US Census Bureau)
- U.S. Department of Transportation
Non-Government Sites
Water & Wastewater Planning
The Lincoln Trail Area Development District provides guidance, oversight and staff to carry out the goals of the Lincoln Trail Area Water Management Council. The Council functions as part of a statewide water and wastewater infrastructure planning initiative directed by Senate Bill 409 from the 2000 KY General Assembly Legislative Session. In conjunction with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority and the Kentucky Division of Water, the Council and the ADD strive to optimize the use and availability of water resources in the region.
The Council provides a framework for the review, discussion, and evaluation of water and wastewater needs and helps local utilities develop projects to meet those needs in the most responsible fashion. The Council meets quarterly and also prioritizes projects on a regional basis yearly.
For further information on the planning process, go to www.kia.ky.gov or www.water.ky.gov.
For a list of approved projects in the district, go to wris.ky.gov/portal/reports.aspx.
The ADD also maintains dynamic infrastructure information through cutting edge GIS and GPS technology providing local, state, and federal agencies with critical information to make policy and funding decisions. This GIS resource is an invaluable tool shared with local utilities that might otherwise be too expensive to maintain on an individual basis.