MIDDLESBORO — In a speedy meeting Tuesday night, the Middlesboro City Council approved a recycling center to be built on the Street Department property on 15th Street.

In a letter written to the 109 Board on Solid Waste, the City states that the two parties “desire to enter into a mutually beneficial agreement in an effort to better serve the citizens of Middlesboro, Kentucky and Bell County, Kentucky.” The two parties also agreed that if recycling should cease, the building would “become the City’s property in full.” The agreement will be subject to more elaboration in the future, regarding liability issues and other matters.

109 Board Chairman Kirby Smith said previously that the center could be built very quickly and would likely open in the fall. He said that the reason they’re locating it in Middlesboro is because of the population density.

The center is part of a recycling initiative by the 109 Board and the equipment that will furnish the center is paid for by a large grant received last year.

The council also approved a letter from Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock regarding the Bell County Summit on the Future held on Tuesday. The resolution signed states that the “elected officials of Pineville, Middlesboro, and Bell County do hereby declare our endorsement of the adoption of a comprehensive community strategic plan and furthermore promise the full support of our offices in the implementation of this community strategic plan.”

Council member Robert Lincks spoke briefly about the Summit held Tuesday morning at the Middlesboro Community Center.

“We had about 110 people from the community show up that were interested in the future of Bell County,” he said. “So today was a real success.”

Main Street Director Kassie Hauser spoke briefly about a new addition to downtown.

“If you’re driving downtown, you’ll see that we have three historical photos on three different buildings,” she said. Hauser credited the efforts of Judy Barton and the Middlesboro/Pineville Tourism Commission. She said they were awarded a “Paint the Town” grant from Tour SEKY (Southern and Eastern Kentucky).

Lincks said he had heard some criticism for the banners.

“Some say they’re a waste of money or we could have used that money for something else,” said Lincks. But he said the grant was specific to the murals and did not come from city funds.

The council also approved having an event called “Singing and a Play” in the city parking lot on August 14 from 6-8 p.m. On August 15, there will be a back-to-school giveaway at noon.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.