A small but enthusiastic crowd witnessed the ribbon-cutting for a new economic-development project in Jackson, Kentucky, on Monday, November 21. Named “The Happy Ship & More,” the non-profit venture is the first enterprise sponsored by Grace in Action USA, an Indiana organization whose mission is to help churches assist the people of their communities by means of economic development.
The store is associated with The Happy Church, pastored by Mike Tabor (long black coat, far left in photo). Among the guests at the ceremony were Mike Miller, Jackson mayor; Jesse & Gladys Deloe, Chuck Yeager, and Ned Denlinger of Grace in Action.
John Jacobson, a local meteorologist and member of The Happy Church, is serving as enterprise coordinator of the local project, which seeks to provide employment opportunities for area residents as well as needed services for the community.
To begin, The Happy Ship will operate a FedEx depot and an eBay consignment store in a coffee shop atmosphere. Future projects may include producing specialty tee shirts and providing computer access to the community.
Information about Grace in Action is available at 574-372-6317 or at gdeloe@comcast.net. 
