In early February, officials from 12 west Kentucky counties jointly announced the creation of “Kentucky Cornerstone” — a regional effort to bring more state and national focus on this area’s offerings for commerce and expansion in a number of fitting industries.
During Monday afternoon’s gathering of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, Executive Director Carter Hendricks told local leaders this initiative has been brought to Frankfort and the Cabinet For Economic Development within the last month.
Per Hendricks, the delegation was well received.
With more than 15 ready-to-go sites in this cornerstone, Hendricks said there will be a number of contacts working on this mission — including regional EDC leaders in Mark Welch, Bruce Wilcox, Hannah Chretien and Amanda Davenport.
Hendricks said the area’s proximity to the automotive industry and electric vehicle battery plants — alongside the lake living and plethora of industrial property — could be key for any future business.
The tagline for the conglomerate: “Electric By Nature.”
Involving Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, McCracken, Todd and Trigg counties, this area already possesses interstate highway, Class I rail provisions, multiple ports along the country’s inland waterway network, and terrific convenience to regional, national and international air service with Murray, Hopkinsville, Paducah, Louisville, St. Louis, Evansville, Nashville and more.
A two-minute commercial has already been made available online. For more information visit cornerstone.com.
In other SWK EDC news:
— From 9 AM until 1 PM this Thursday, “Jobs Fest 2023” will be rumbling at the Planters Bank Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex in Hopkinsville. It’s geared toward the high school seniors of Christian, Todd and Trigg counties, who in two weeks will be graduating and opting in to the local and regional workforce.
Tony Prim, of SWK EDC, said Logan County will bringing its tech students to the event, as well, and 30-plus businesses will be in attendance. Sandra Hancock, with Christian County Public Schools, noted more than 100 city and county graduates will also be in the mix.
— Commerce Park II, in Hopkinsville, has been designated as a CSX Select Certified site, which will allow for additional marketing opportunities to the location. Hendricks said it took about a year for the consultation and confirmation to complete.
