A pair of spec buildings — one in Cadiz, one in Hopkinsville — have garnered considerable attention lately, as the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council and municipality leaders continue to find the right businesses for their respective communities.
Trigg County nearly had its I-24 Business Park property sold to a prospective company, when the market for an unmentioned product took a turn.
Following Monday’s SWK EDC meeting, Executive Director Carter Hendricks said its possible the interested buyer returns to the table. In the meantime, though, the process starts again.
“Project Snooze,” it was called, did have some competition in Cadiz. Hendricks, as well as Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries, have noted several times that other companies sought the 100,000-square-foot facility until this due diligence was ongoing.
Now, Hendricks added, is the time to re-engage with those interested companies.
Meanwhile, Hendricks said due diligence still remains on the spec building near Commerce Park II in Hopkinsville, but further news on this development should be coming soon.
Less than 30 miles apart, both properties have not only brought considerable parties to the table, but have also brought jobs to the tri-county region of Trigg, Christian and Todd counties, despite not yet being filled.
Other companies have visited these sites in the last three years, and though they decided not to move and expand into the spec buildings, they did decide to remain in south western Kentucky and open here.
In other SWK EDC news:
— Calhoun & Company returned a clean audit to the non-profit Monday, noting the organization has just over $300,000 in total liabilities and net assets. Total expenses for the last year were just above $655,000, while total revenues, gains and support without donor restrictions was almost $650,000. Cash and cash equivalents on hand at end of year: $186,915.
— HWEA will be holding its Gary Lane Clean Water Plant ribbon-cutting December 5. With a budget of $48 million, construction began on the facility in 2020, through funding from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.
— The Todd County Chamber of Commerce recently named HES energynet and Pennyrile Rural Electric as its 2024 “Business of the Year.”
— Looking to fully revamp its meetings schedule, Hendricks said the Pennyrile Industrial Managers Association will be convening every other month, meaning six meetings are scheduled for 2025. The next session, set for 11:30 AM until 1 PM December 12, will be at the MSU Regional Campus. Those interested can RSVP with Sharon Butts.
— And as for the last month, Hendricks said unemployment remains below 6% in Christian County, and below 5.5% in Todd and Trigg counties. It’s below 5% in Kentucky, below 4% in Montgomery County, and below 4.5% in the United States.
