At Monday night’s Leitchfield City Council meeting, a lengthy discussion took place after a council member raised questions about the structure of a resolution establishing a Leitchfield-Grayson County Economic Development Board.
As it turned out, Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson and Leitchfield Mayor Harold Miller had been discussing precisely what Bocock promoted at the March 17 city council meeting, as Henderson, after discussions with Miller, on March 21, posted a lengthy statement announcing details regarding the goals of the economic development board.
He wrote: The board’s focus will be on job creation; to establish more and better job opportunities in the community; to support business growth; and to retain both new and existing businesses.
(Henderson’s entire statement can be found below.)
Fast forward to Monday night’s city council meeting where Councilwoman Terri Haycraft voiced concern regarding the city’s return on investment, as the board is slated to, according to the resolution presented Monday night, receive the tax revenue from businesses the board brings to the city/county.
That, while the city, county and Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center are the three entities financing the board’s formation and continued existence by funding the salary of the board’s director as well as paying other expenses.
Haycraft left no doubt that she supports the formation of an economic board, though, saying: “I’m for this, but there are so many open questions … It’s (the resolution) very well done,” but she would like to have further discussions on the financial structure of the agreement.
Miller said he understood Haycraft’s concerns, while also noting a third-party wrote the resolution to keep the agreement “above-board.” He also stated that this is a new process for the city, county and hospital leaders.
Miller then encouraged other council members to bring their concerns, if any, to him and that he would have discussions with county and hospital officials (spearheaded by Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center CEO Ashley Herrington) regarding those issues.
A vote on the resolution was tabled.
The economic development board will be comprised of Miller, Henderson, and Herrington, as well as two people appointed by each Miller and Henderson, for a total of seven board members, plus a board director.
The following is Henderson’s full statement on the formation of an economic development board:
Grayson County Fiscal Court met on Thursday and voted to form a new economic development board in Grayson County. The board’s focus will be on job creation; to establish more and better job opportunities in the community; to support business growth; and to retain both new and existing businesses.
The board will also improve infrastructure projects such as roads, utilities and public spaces, and will facilitate the adoption of new technologies and innovations. The new board will additionally work closely with our school system to identify the skills/trades that our businesses need taught at our tech center.
We are still in the planning phase, but the board will consist of five to seven members, which will be comprised of community leaders as well as aggressive, visionary business owners within our community. The board members will be in non-paid positions.
The board will hire a director of the newly formed economic development foundation, and that person will be tasked with facilitating the vision of the board and improving the economic well-being of our community. The director will focus on creating jobs, and working closely with our current industry and small businesses to retain and assist with possible expansion.
We want the new director of the economic foundation to work closely with the current Industrial Development Corporation that was formed years ago by Judge Kenneth H. Goff. That board has been instrumental in the past by recruiting the businesses we currently have in the county.
I understand that the community feels that nothing is happening; however, sometimes the IDC board is muzzled by non-disclosure agreements that are put in place by industry and businesses looking to come to the community that do not want it discussed until they have made a decision.
Just a couple of years ago, the IDC board granted Bel Cheese a forgivable loan of $1 million to retain employees and to explore the possibility of bringing in a new line of products. But Bel decided to go in a different direction and relocate.
That loan has since been paid back to the IDC. We appreciate Bel’s time in our community and most definitely wish them well. They were a great partner for many years.
Myself and Mayor Harold Miller have talked about forming a new economic board over the past year and we have since obtained funding that makes it possible to form the new board. With the approval of the Leitchfield City Council, it will be possible that we can partner together.
There will be representation on the board from the Clarkson and Caneyville areas. With Clarkson and Caneyville having exits off the WK Parkway, it is possible that small business or industry, with the expansion of utilities in those locations, would be interested in those areas.
With this newly formed board, the director will report to the funding agencies and give them updates of the progress made within the community.
Economic development is crucial for improving the economic well-being of a community, creating jobs and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
I can assure you that everyone on Fiscal Court, the Leitchfield City Council, Caneyville Commission, and Clarkson Commission wants to see our community grow and our residents prosper. And remember to always support our local small businesses to ensure their success.
Hopefully, this will be a step in the right direction.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
