Owsley County Alliance for Recreation & Entertainment, Incorporated

EIN:  47-2099710

86 Old Hwy 11 N

PO Box 715

Booneville, KY 41314

606-560-0690

 

February 13, 2024

 

Dear Future Star of the Seale Theater!

 

Owsley County Alliance for Recreation & Entertainment (OCARE) is a non-profit that was established in October of 2014 to increase tourism and recreational opportunities for the at-risk youth and families of Owsley and local communities. One of our largest efforts was to purchase the old Seale Theater for revitalization purposes. 

 

Since the establishment of OCARE, we have been able to achieve the following goals: 

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• Ran a successful feasibility/sustainability project by securing donated facility space from the Owsley County Action Team to show pre-released/licensed movies and to perform original community plays (December 2015-March 2020) 

• Purchased the Seale Theater (December 2017).

• Recognized by the State of Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development as an investment project in the Kentucky Opportunity Zone (2018/2019) Booneville Theater Project - KYOZ. We haven’t had any investors yet and the clock is ticking on the capital investment credits that folks can get but it’s still an option.

• In response to COVID, and in order to stay on the path to the Seale’s revitalization efforts, we transformed our secured donated facility into a thrift shop so that we could continue raising funding to support our mortgage payment for the Seale (August 2020 - present) 

• Received a competitive EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant in the amount of $305,844 to abate hazardous materials in the building (2021).

• We have secured a commitment from the City of Booneville to help provide water for the cleanup (up to $1,250+)

• We have a commitment from a local electrical/general contractor to provide up to $25,000 in labor and supplies to fit the building with electricity up to code.

• Hired Linebach-Funkhauser as our Environmental Consultant (2022).

• Hired Chase Environmental as our remediation and abatement contractor (2023).

• Became a part of the Mountain Association’s (formerly MACED) pilot program called SPARK Non-Profit Collaborative

• We leveraged ARPA funding from monies from Owsley Fiscal Court ($23,500) and from the City of Booneville ($25,000) to pay for a new roof and for a portion of the outer foundational wall (2022).

• We applied for and received funding from the Kentucky Colonels for exterior doors in the amount of $6,500 and received in kind labor for the installation. (2023)

• Received a donation for windows and installation in the amount of $12,000. (2023)

• And multiple miscellaneous contributions along the way that have contributed to our project in ways that are valued beyond estimation.

• Received other small grants along the way that has helped us from: Ky Arts Council, Jackson Energy Round-Up and Appalachian Community Fund.

• We have volunteered over 50,000 of in-kind cost share for our cleanup grant.

• We also have volunteers who will help with the parts of restoration that do not require certifications or licensing.

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We hope that everyone can see that we have leveraged a great deal of in-kind gifts and funding towards this project. We have done it all with an unpaid group of volunteers. Our unofficial motto is - “we won’t quit until we’re done!”

 

We are extending an opportunity for you to play a part in our exciting mission to reawaken the Spirit of the Seale and to inspire a new generation that believes that any community can “reach for the stars” and that change really can happen if we all work together.  (Donation link below).  

 

Currently, there are plans for two different operations in the Seale. The Seale itself will be a movie and live performance (plays, music, etc) venue, but we plan to open the Undergrounds Coffee Shop in the basement. The coffee shop is intended to be one of the constant revenue strands to help us with the cost of utilities and expenses to operate the building. 

 

How will our donors be recognized?! Well, the final mock-up for the front of the Seale (at top of page) shows a wave of bronze, silver, gold and platinum stars above the entryway. These stars will be metal plates and anyone who donates will have their name put on one of the plates that coincides with their donation level. 

 

This funding WILL ONLY go towards the revitalization budget for the Seale (current need for that is 248,000.00). The coffee shop WILL NOT BE a part of the fundraiser which is projected to cost roughly 36,000.00 itself to get into working order. We have separate plans for acquiring funds for that.

 

Donors may choose their level of commitment.

• Bronze Star - $100 to $249

• Silver Star - $250 to $999

• Gold Star - $1000 to $4999

• Platinum Star - $5000 and Over

 

Donations can be sent to, or delivered to the following:

OCARE, Inc. (for the Seale Theater Project)

PO Box 715

86 Hwy 11 N

Booneville, KY 41314

 

Thank you in advance for being a “Star!” 
 

Respectfully,
 

The Board of Owsley County Alliance for Recreation and Entertainment Inc. (OCARE)

 

Mamie ‘JoAnne’ Richardson (Chair)

Sue Christian (Founder/Director)

Cheryl McCauley (Director)

Lisa Botner (Director)

Tanya Brandenburg (Historian/Secretary)