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NEWS &
EVENTS

The Center for Rural Development and Forward in the Fifth"s latest live webinar yesterday afternoon featured professionals in the human services, education, and construction sectors as part of a week of live "College and Career Readiness: Moving Forward" web broadcasts in conjunction with the statewide Operation Preparation week in Kentucky. 

Host Michael Cornett, far left, director of marketing and public relations for The Center, welcomed panelists Carroll Ann Busher, second from left, director of Eastern Kentucky Child Care Coalition; Dr. Sandy Medley, staff psychologist at Bluegrass Oakwood; and Josh Branscum, director of marketing, estimating and design at Branscum Construction.

Students in 120 middle and high schools in 32 Kentucky counties have access to the week's live webinars, and even more, students will when the videotaped segments are made available to educators across the state and region.

Operation Preparation, which is being observed in Kentucky from March 12-16, helps students learn about a variety of careers directly from professionals in numerous fields.

The webinar project, funded by a United States Department of Education i3 grant, is presented by Forward in the Fifth, a nonprofit organization and affiliate of The Center; Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative; Green River Regional Educational Cooperative; WIN Learning; and Sonic Foundry.

Students within the primary service regions of Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative and Green River Regional Educational Cooperative in Western and Eastern Kentucky may submit questions to the panel via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Forward in the Fifth College and career webinars

The Dedication Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting for the New Garrard County Justice Center were held Thursday, March 1, 2012.  There were several hundred members of the community including local and state dignitaries on hand to help celebrate the completion of this grand complex.

Garrard County Judge-Executive John Wilson was among the speakers during the dedication, "This has been a wonderful project for downtown and helped revitalize our square.  It has pumped some new energy into our community."  Other honored guest speakers were the Reverend Earl Thornton, Donna Powell, State Representative Lonnie N. Napier, State Senator Tom Buford, Chief District Judge Bill Oliver, Supreme Court of Kentucky Justice Daniel J. Venters, Chief Justice John D. Minton, Chief Circuit Judge Hunter Daugherty, and Reverend Lisa Eye.

The Garrard County Justice Center includes Circuit Court, District Court, Family Court, Circuit Court Clerk Offices and other judicial staff and administrative offices.  The 40,473 square feet justice center is equipped with the latest computer, video, and networking technology.  The highest level of security is provided through a single point entry with a magnetometer and a security team in place with access to top of the line security equipment and cameras.   For added safety, prisoners will be segregated from the public by separate entrance and corridors.

The Garrard County Justice Center was designed to meet the standards mandated by the Administrative Office of the Courts.  The architect for this complex was Brandstetter Carroll form Lexington.  Branscum Construction Company of Russell Springs was the Construction Manager.  The Branscum Construction team consisted of Jeff Cook, Project Manager, and Todd Sadler, Project Superintendent.

garrard county justice center ribbon cutting

Citizens Bank had a large community turnout for their open house and ribbon cutting that was held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, for their newly remodeled bank in Brodhead, Kentucky.  The bank will officially be open for business on January 23rd, 2012.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony Mr. Corey Craig, Citizens Bank President/CEO spoke about the bank's history and it's commitment to the serving the community.  He also thanked everyone that made the renovations possible.

Citizens Bank underwent a complete renovation and reconfiguration of the interior and exterior.  The bank was wanting to make the interior more modern and functional for the community and the staff.  To achieve more office space, a larger lobby and relocate the teller line to a more convenient area in the bank load-bearing walls were removed and replaced with new piers, columns, and structural beams.  Although the square footage of the building remained the same it gave the appearance that the bank had been expanded. 

The exterior of the building also received major changes that included the brick veneer being removed and replaced, a new shingle roof, new sidewalks and the construction of a tower entryway.  There were new arched windows that were added throughout the building that gave it a more stylish and fresh appearance.

The Branscum Construction Team's dedication to excellence has allowed Citizens Bank to provide a modern financial institution to serve the community's need.  The Branscum Construction Team consisted of David Milam, project manager and Jim Gibert was the project superintendent.

citizens bank ribbon cutting

Community Trust Bank approved and awarded Branscum Construction Company the General Contractor for their new branch bank in Columbia, Kentucky. The new branch bank is set to start construction immediately.

The Project Manager for this project is Sandra Honaker and Chris Hudgins will be the Superintendent.

Branscum Construction Company and its subsidiary, Precision Erection Company held their 35th Annual Christmas Dinner and Awards Banquet on December 2, 2011, at the Russell County Auditorium and Natatorium.   The evening began with a warm welcome to all of the associates from Stephen Branscum, who has been hosting this dinner for over 35 years in appreciation of all the companies' associates.  During the annual dinner, the 2011 Associate of the Year was announced, this associate is nominated by his or her peers based on their overall performance.  Also, acknowledged during the dinner were associates with five, ten, fifteen and twenty-five years of service. A Safety Award was given to recognize associates' safety record and there was also an acknowledgment of projects qualifying for Building for Excellence in 2011. 

The Dedication Ceremony of the new Russell County Judicial Center was held Tuesday afternoon, September 27th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.  The ceremony was held upstairs in the Circuit Courtroom were approximately one hundred and fifty members of the community, including local and state dignitaries.  The ceremony began with a Welcome Greeting from Russell County Judge-Executive Gary D. Robertson followed by the Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Presentation of Colors and the National Anthem.  Members of the Russell Springs Masonic Lodge performed the Laying of the Corner Stone Ceremony.  Gail Wilson then recognized all present and past Judges who have served in Russell County and their families.  Remarks were made by Former Chief Justice of KY Joseph E. Lambert and Supreme Court of KY Justice Daniel J. Venters.  The Dedication Address was given by Chief Justice of KY John D. Minton Jr.  "Since the early days of the Commonwealth, Kentucky courthouses have held a special place as the center of our communities,"  he added.  "It is a privilege to celebrate with the people of Russell County as they dedicate this outstanding new Judicial Center."  At the conclusion of the Dedication Ceremony, everyone moved outside to the front of the Judicial Center for the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, afterwards, the community was welcomed to tour the facility.

The New 160-room Russell County Judicial Center consists of approximately 45,000 square feet, which includes the Circuit Court, District Court, Family Court, Circuit Court Clerk Offices, Judges Quarters and a Sally Port.  There is a single point security entrance and private cells for inmates who have court dates to provide the highest level of court security.  With the ultimate goal of safety, the new Judicial Center is outfitted with three separate elevator systems; the Judge's, the public's and the inmate's elevator.  This will provide a safe environment for all judicial officials and staff, inmates and the public who are required to be in the building for court dates, meetings, and business.  The Judicial Center is equipped with the latest computers, video, and networking technology throughout the facility.  A security team will also be in place inside the courthouse, with access to top of the line security equipment and cameras.

The Russell County Judicial Center was designed to meet the standards required by the Administrative Office of the Courts.  The architect who designed the judicial center was Brandstetter Carroll, Inc. form Lexington.  Branscum Construction Company of Russell Springs was the Construction Manager for the project and Ross, Sinclaire & Associates were the financial agents.  The Branscum Construction Team was Sandra Honaker, Project Manager, and Larry McGowan, Project Superintendent.

Russell County Judicial Center ribbon cutting

The Lake Cumberland District Health Department celebrated the completion of the new Russell County Health Department on September 1, 2011.  Many members of the community and local officials were on hand to help dedicate this new facility to county.  "The New Health Department is dedicated to serving the people of Russell County," Bonnie Tucker.  After a short dedication ceremony, everyone moved outside to the front of the building for the ribbon cutting.

The new Russell County Health Department is a 20,000 square foot building consisting of new administrative offices, exam rooms, labs, specialty clinic, waiting areas, and nurse's stations.  There is also, a staff break area, a fully functional kitchen, a 1,400 square foot conference room and a new Environmental Department.  The new facility is decorated warm and inviting to ensure that the public feels welcome and safe.  There is even a play area in the main lobby with a fish aquarium to entertain the young and old alike.

Branscum Construction Company's dedication to excellence has provided Russell County with a state of the art medical facility that we all can be very proud of.  The Branscum Team that worked on the project was Project Manager Jeff Cook and Superintendent Rick Brown.  Branscum Construction was the Construction Manager on this project and the architect was Brandstetter Carroll.

russell county health department ribbon cutting

What Clients are Saying About Branscum

“I was extremely impressed with the efficiency & communication the Branscum firm displayed in keeping this project on task for completion.”

—Russ Pear, UK Assistant Athletic Director - Facilities