Community

First Federal Participates in Haycraft Neighborhood Revitalization Project

ELIZABETHTOWN, January 21, 2009-First Federal Savings Bank announced its participation in the City of Elizabethtowns Haycraft Neighborhood Revitalization Project, an exciting program designed to provide housing rehabilitation to existing homeowners in the Haycraft Neighborhood of Elizabethtown.

The City of Elizabethtown has partnered with the Kentucky Housing Corporation through the Focus Communities Program to develop housing redevelopment initiatives that will help to improve, rehabilitate, or rebuild single-family houses. Reconstruction of the first two dwellings will begin this month and are expected to be completed by May.

We are very excited to be working with the City on this project commented Keith Johnson, CEO of First Federal Savings Bank. The Haycraft Neighborhood is an important part of the history of Elizabethtown, and this project will provide affordable housing for its residents. First Federal is happy to offer low, fixed rate financing for these homeowners.

The City has targeted the neighborhood for a multi-phased improvement plan. Through combined funding sources, various infrastructure improvements (waterline, street and sidewalk, and drainage systems) are well underway throughout the neighborhood. These planned improvements will provide increased accessibility and safety for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. These improvements have also allowed for revitalization, sustainability, and further development opportunities for the entire neighborhood area.

We are very happy to see these improvements become a reality for one of Elizabethtowns oldest neighborhoods and for the residents commented Elizabethtowns Mayor David Willmoth Jr.

Applicants must meet income and other eligibility requirements of the program, and Program funds are based on availability. Applications are being taken for the program at the City of Elizabethtown, Department of Planning & Development, 200 West Dixie Avenue. Interested parties may call the Department at (270) 765-6121 extension 247 or First Federal at (270) 765-2048 extension 2234 for more information.

About First Federal Savings Bank
First Financial Service Corporation (Nasdaq: FFKY) is the parent bank holding company of First Federal Savings Bank of Elizabethtown, which was chartered in 1923. The Bank serves the needs and caters to the economic strengths of the local communities in which it operates and strives to provide a high level of personal and professional customer service. The Bank offers a variety of financial services to its retail and commercial banking customers. These services include personal and corporate banking services, and personal investment financial counseling services. Today, the Bank serves seven contiguous counties encompassing Central Kentucky and the Louisville Metropolitan area, including Southern Indiana, through its 20 full-service banking centers and a commercial private banking center.