Trigg County took its next step in economic growth Wednesday morning, when local and regional officials gathered to break ground on the 100,000 square-foot spec building planned for the I-24 Business Park.
Set to open fall 2023 and play host to future industry, its construction was made possible through grant funding from Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development.
Two decades ago, though, this park didn’t exist. South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council Executive Director Carter Hendricks noted much has changed since.
Located less than a half-mile from the I-24 corridor in west Kentucky, Hendricks noted that the building will have 12 dock bays ready for shipping, a corporate headquarter corner and will reside on 15 expandable acres.
He also noted that Trigg County and its surroundings offer a strong work force, a high quality of life, and that an industry like this will be surrounded by the successful footsteps of organizations like Wabash, Derby Fabricating Solutions, Ethridge Plastics & Hydrographic Dipping, Kentucky Machine & Engineering, and the soon-to-be Load Covering Solutions.
Outgoing Trigg County Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander lauded incoming judge and former State Senator Stan Humphries for his work on Senate Bill 9/House Bill 114, which shifted in-lieu TVA tax dollars back to 39 Kentucky counties for economic projects.
Simply put, however, Alexander said this project had been a long time coming.
Cadiz Mayor Todd King noted the arrival of a new business could change lives.
Clay Snowden, of Kentucky’s Association for Economic Development, explained that some of the funding needed is coming from a pilot program that’s generating considerable interest.
TVA Regional Consultant Emily Jones also explained that their grant process, InvestPrep, is also playing a part.
SWK EDC’s Sharon Butts constructed the grant applications for this site. Meanwhile, Hendricks noted that John Crenshaw and Kerry Fowler will be assisting the Trigg County Industrial Development Authority to make sure the project “moves forward, under budget and on time.”
Ronald Johnson & Associates, particularly Frank Williams, is serving as civil engineer, with Hartz Contracting of Owensboro handling construction.
Utility partners include Pennyrile Electric, Atmos Energy, energynet and Cadiz Water & Sewer.
Financing is tri-fold, being delivered from Bank of Cadiz & Trust Co., Planters Bank and United Southern Bank.
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