Prior to 2000, Johnson County worked with Economic Development specialists at UK to survey the local community searching for what they felt needed to change, what should stay the same and if they would be willing to help. Over 500 participated in the "Johnson County Visions" project, with around 70 leaders serving as facilitators to do face to face meetings. One of the top 10 priorities at that time was the preservation of local culture, and the utilization of the newly developed tourism office to help implement ideas and activities. 

Since that time, FCS has held numerous steering committees on the topic, worked with the Ky Arts Council to set up a 501c3 organization to house volunteer efforts and helped save three historic sites, helped through leadership development, business planning, program planning, and grant writing and research, 8 others. This year, the organization called Route 23 Cultural Heritage Network, or CHN, had 35 members, 6 board of directors and a host of guests at their annual meeting. They acknowledged 5 local citizens with cultural heritage preservation awards ranging from saving historic sites, hosting long lasting cultural programs, leading in community theater, and so much more. The area is not only rich in the theme but local citizens are beginning to work to join the mission of preservation of the history and culture of the region. Two of the counties top businessmen purchased historic buildings and restored them for both business and personal missions. This is great shift from having local debates as to whether or not to raze the city's oldest historic site, which is now, due to FCS efforts, owned by the city and managed by tourism.