On March 1, key leadership from the South Western Kentucky EDC, judge-executives from Christian, Trigg and Todd counties, and PADD representatives made a caravan to Frankfort — toting with them the serious details surrounding Commerce Park II in Hopkinsville and the Warren Property in Guthrie.
Their intentions: to describe and showcase two critical, premier locations in west Kentucky capable of serious development — in hopes of convincing the office of Governor Andy Beshear to allocate part of the General Assembly’s eventual commitment to further projects across the Commonwealth.
During Monday’s monthly meeting with SWK’s quorum, EDC Executive-Director Carter Hendricks described how this behind-the-scenes session went with Beshear and other state officials — in what was a 15-hour discussion over a three-day period.
Hendricks said there’s a sincere push from Beshear’s administration to find the “next big site,” following last year’s announcement of Ford Motor Company and SK Innovations coming to Glendale.
Enter two critical plats in Christian and Todd counties.
Commerce Park II is a mega-rail site owned by the Hopkinsville Industrial Foundation, that sits 45 miles from Eddyville Riverport, 60 miles from the Nashville International Airport and 10 minutes from the I-69/I-24 corridor.
Located near the CSX mainline and host to more than 460,000 people in its labor shed, Hendricks said the biggest needs for the 1,300-plus acre lot includes a rail spur, some access roads, and electric substation, a sewer pump station and line, and a water line expansion — totaling $38.5 million in possible renovation and upgrades.
Meanwhile, the Warren Property is also a mega-rail site. Owned by the Todd County Industrial Foundation, it’s 65 miles from the Eddyville Riverport, 55 miles from the Nashville International Airport and 10 minutes from I-24.
With rail access to RJ Corman, it needs similar upgrades in rail spurs, access roads, an electric substation, sewer pump station and line, as well as water line — totaling more than $17 million.
It’s also 250 acres in size.
Hendricks said while the governor’s budget for expanded economic projects is roughly $250 million in this next biennium, the House’s budget sits at $100 million. Either way, Hendricks said bringing these plans to Frankfort helps begin the education, vetting and potential allocation process — as the tri-county area continues to compete in the open market of the Commonwealth.
In other EDC news:
— “Jobs Fest: 2022” is set for 9 AM until 1 PM on April 28 at the Planters Bank – Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex in Hopkinsville, and will be a job fair geared toward high school seniors of Trigg, Christian, and Todd counties who will be graduating two weeks after the event and jumping straight into the workforce. The event will be showcasing entry-level positions with strong pay, and already nine regional businesses have committed to the fair. One can register at https://wkworkforce.work/jobs-fest-registration.
— This Thursday from 11 AM until 12:30 PM, there will be an open house for Commerce Park’s 100,000 square-foot speculative building. A strong skeletal structure already in place, Hendricks noted the building has 38-foot ceilings and is prepared for a multitude of businesses to reside within its walls. Located at Frank Yost Lane in Hopkinsville, one can RSVP with the EDC’s Sharon Butts by email: sbutts@southwesternky.com.
