Following more than an hour of executive session discussion Thursday morning, officials with the Cadiz-Trigg County Economic Development Commission unanimously approved for Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander ink a financial agreement and loan document for the up-and-coming spec building — to be built on the 15-acre pad-ready site in the Cadiz/I-24 Interstate Park.
This action comes 10 weeks after the governing body approved a bid of $5.4 million from Owensboro’s Hartz Contracting to build the 100,000 sq. ft. facility, which could be the next big industry for the tri-county region.
Sharon Butts, executive director for the CTCEDC, said site prep for footings should begin this October. Building materials have already been ordered and should be arriving in mid-spring of next year, and a completion date of early September 2023 remains as a target.
Butts added that the hope and expectation of this particular facility would be a company that can bring anywhere between 100 and 300 new jobs to the area, however any and all avenues will be explored. The Cadiz/I-24 Interstate Park also has space for other developments, with desires of a diversified work portfolio in the CTCEDC’s planning.
Amanda Davenport, executive director for the Lake Barkley Partnership, also made a considerable presentation during this private session, in which she discussed the rebirth of Pennyrile Westpark.
It’s a site located right on the Lyon/Caldwell county line just north of the Main Correctional Complex, and is comprised of more than 1,800 acres owned by the Commonwealth. Davenport told officials that it “will not” be subdivided for smaller economic projects, and that it can be a “large anchor” for the entire region.
Her board consists of judge-executives from Trigg, Lyon, Caldwell, Crittenden and Livingston counties, and she has partnerships with the Pennyrile Area Development District and several state offices.
The site itself has considerable assets, including: 470+ acres ready for industrial development, service from Kentucky Utilities, two electric transmission lines from KU and Big Rivers, two gas lines from Atmos Energy and Kuttawa, on-site water and sewer, more than 7,000 feet of accessible rail from the property, and a developing US 641 link to I-69.
Butts said the biggest discussion Thursday revolved around a 2018 ruling that the property lies in a flood plain.
Butts added that Davenport will be seeking an updated floodplain study of the plat — which, if developed appropriately, has the potential for housing a game-changing industry right here in west Kentucky.
In other EDC news:
— Beth Sumner, director of the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce, was introduced as a city appointment to the commission. She replaces Greg Grissom.
— The 2022-23 EDC budget was approved, with an expected revenue and income of $203,316 in the next fiscal year.
— South Western Kentucky EDC Executive Director Carter Hendricks noted that the groundbreaking ceremony for Ascend Elements in Christian County will likely be in mid-October, and that early workforce estimates indicate that Trigg Countians will comprise at least 15% of the company’s employees. Hendricks also said there’s sincere earnest for dirt to be turned before this year ends, and the site in Commerce Park II to be “rocking and rolling” in early 2023.
— On September 13, Transcraft will officially be renamed to “Wabash National,” in what is an official rebranding of the company. Butts said a luncheon will begin around 11 AM.
— Another major regional job fair, called “Step Into A Job,” has been scheduled for 10 AM to 3 PM, September 15 at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. Tony Prim, South Western Kentucky EDC business retention and expansion officer, said more than 50 business vendors will be on site with a wide variety of jobs available to the public. Wabash National and Load Covering Solutions, both in Trigg County, are among expected participants.
— Pride of the Pennyrile is returning, and is set for September 22.
— The Regional Industry Appreciation Lunch will be October 19 at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. John Bradley, senior vice president of TVA Economic Development, will be the guest speaker.
