The Christian County Chamber of Commerce hosted a State of the Community Eye Opener Breakfast, the first one since 2019, where officials talked about community improvements.
During the Tuesday morning event, business leaders and others in attendance at the James E. Bruce Convention Center heard updates from Christian County Fiscal Court and Hopkinsville and Oak Grove mayors.
Randy Graham, Director for Christian County Emergency Management, shared what the county has been working on the over the last year. It included the COVID-19 response, voting machine and body camera upgrades, county road projects, and improvements at Ruff Park.
Graham also touched on the broadband services expansion across Christian County with a partnership between Hopkinsville Electric System and Energynet and Pennyrile Electric.
For Hopkinsville, Mayor Wendell Lynch said the COVID response was a big part of the last year, but they have also been working on financial management, public safety, software and cybersecurity upgrades, and addressing major equipment needs.
Lynch also mentioned the city is working on staff pay equity, something he feels is very important.
Lynch added another thing they are working on is a way to strengthen community ethnic relations. The city, along with other community partners, will host a Unity Summit on Saturday morning, July 31, in the cafeteria of Christian County Middle School. For more information and to sign up for the event, click here.
Oak Grove Mayor Theresa Jarvis said her city underwent tremendous growth, even during the pandemic, when it seemed the world came to a complete halt. Jarvis added one major improvement coming for Oak Grove is a new fire/police department, along with other expansions.
Jarvis also highlighted the city’s growth in the business sector, with the addition of Captain D’s, The Flip’N Axe Throwing Venue, and Respawn Coffee Company, to name a few.
In addition, Taylor Hayes, Community Vision Plan 2030 Coordinator, provided an update on how they will begin implementing the plan after a time off because of the pandemic.
Click here to view the entire Community Vision Plan 2030.
The breakfast was sponsored by Hopkinsville Electric System and Energynet, Christian County Fiscal Court, and the City of Hopkinsville.
