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The Harlan Chamber of Commerce met on Wednesday and focused on ways to help businesses grow, along with updates on services available in the county and upcoming events.

Chamber President Aimee Blanton said she and Harlan Center Executive-Director Brandon Pennington have been working on relocation packets and asked any business interested in having their information in these packets to get that information to her or Pennington as soon as possible.

“We are trying to include information such as banks, schools, health care, real estate, restaurants, entertainment — really any type of business in the county,” said Blanton. “This information will be given to anyone wanting to locate in Harlan or retire and maybe relocate to Harlan County.”

Hoping to have their new website up and running in a few days, Blanton said anyone wanting to be on the chamber’s email list to receive information about specials being offered by businesses, meetings and upcoming events may contact her with their information.

Blanton said the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has awarded two construction projects in the next steps of a long-term project to widen and straighten a portion of U.S. 119 in Letcher County. She said this is the Harlan/Whitesburg roadway.

“There is some progress being made — very slowly,” said Blanton. “Sometimes we get frustrated because we want it to be done right now, but progress is being made. Our transportation committee is staying on top of this and talking to people in Frankfort about what we need as a county.”

Chamber member Dan Mosley said he talked with state Rep. Rick Nelson on Wednesday and he suggested the chamber write a letter to Congressman Hal Rogers asking that federal funding be allocated to U.S. 119 considering it is listed in the six-year road plan.

Harlan County Emergency Management Director David McGill spoke to chamber members about the county’s new CodeRED Weather Warning system. He said anyone wanting to be notified through the CodeRED system during an emergency situation may contact his office at 573-6082, go to harlanonline web site and click on the CodeRED icon or Facebook Harlan County Emergency Management and send a friend request. He said you may chose to be notified by phone, email or cell phone or all three.

“We want people to be notified in a timely manner during a disaster or emergency situation,” said McGill. “This system is area specific. Where ever a storm will most affect, and it’s not the entire county, that is who gets the call instead of everyone getting a call. I like this more because it keeps people from getting complacent with the phone calls. Complacency is not what we want. We want people to be vigilant and always aware of the situation. We remind everyone to always be prepared.”

Other items discussed included:

*Free medical clinic will be held at the Harlan County High School from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on March 23-24. This will include services such as dental care, vision and medicine;

*Harlan Tractor Supply Store Manager Matthew Estep said a soft opening of the new store will be held Feb. 23 and their grand opening will be Feb. 28 through March 3. He said during their grand opening lots of items will be given away. For more information, you may call 573-2650.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com