Hopkinsville City Council moved forward with the annexation of over 600 acres on John Rivers Road — associated with Commerce Park Phase II — into the city limits at Tuesday night’s meeting.
The council unanimously approved the annexation on the first reading after Mayor Wendell Lynch explained this annexation into the city is the next step in process of preparing the second phase of the industrial park where Ascend Elements will be locating its largest U.S. facility — creating 250 full-time jobs behind a $310 million Phase I investment.
click to download audioIn other action, the city council unanimously approved $40,000 of matching funds for a $200,000 Reconnecting Communities Grant for the Legacy Hopkinsville Connectivity Plan. The pilot grant program supports activities to reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating transportation facilities, like highway or rail lines, that create barriers to community connectivity, including mobility, access, or economic development.
The council also approved a municipal order reclaiming $56,492 of $110,000 in AARP funds that weren’t used to implement a COVID-19 vaccination incentive program. The money will be designated for additional uses as approved by the city council.
The committee also approved designating the following ARPA funds:
– Up to $15,000 of ARPA funds for repairs at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center;
– Up to $50,000 to purchase new greens and fairway mowers for Western Hill Golf Course;
– Up to $135,000 to be transferred to the General Fund to pay the bond payment for the Bruce Convention Center;
– And, up to $2,275,110 for the future fire station project that is currently in the planning stages.
During awards and recognitions, Hopkinsville Police Chief Clayton Sumner said he had some exciting news to announce — the addition of two new officers.
click to download audioAfter the introduction, the two new officers were sworn in by Mayor Lynch.
