Like most city and county governments across the state, funds from the American Rescue Plan Act were used for improvements to infrastructure, roads, and buildings while others used it to promote their location.
Amy Rogers, the executive director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, gave the Hopkinsville Rotary Club several examples of how they have partnered with other tourism entities in the area and state to develop day trip and traveling tours with a common theme.
Hopkinsville markets itself as the “Batter Capital of the World’ because of its local companies with a long tradition of producing batters for baked goods like cakes and cookies. Rogers said Hopkinsville has partnered with other ‘capital’ cities for the Kentucky Capitals Quest.
click to download audioOther cities included in the quest are Paducah, the Quilt Capital of the World; Somerset, the Houseboat Capital of the World, and Owensboro, the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World.
Rogers also said Hopkinsville is included in the West Kentucky BBQ Belt.
click to download audioA visit to WKYBBQ.com allows people to sign up, receive information via text or email, and then get information about the BBQ stop and earn a prize.
Rogers said Hopkinsville is also included in the Great Big Kentucky Adventure.
click to download audioRogers also said Naimoli Estate Vineyard and Winery on Harmony Grove Road is included on the Western Kentucky Wine Trail, which also uses a passport-style program to mark the stops in six counties in the region.
Rogers said the collaborative efforts of Hopkinsville and Christian County along with other CVBs helped Christian County bring in a record $239.1 million in tourism spending in 2023.
