Business

The Kentucky Agriculture Development Board recently approved $4,939,773 for agriculture and rural development projects, including $100,000 in state funds and $1,500 in Whitley County funds to build a farmer’s market pavilion in downtown Corbin, and over $20,000 for a local meat processing program. Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles noted the announcement shows how diverse the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board’s mission truly is. “These investments in capital projects for a farmers’ market, greenhouses for our schools, meat processing facilities to reduce the backlog of cattle processing across our state, and others are positioning Kentucky farm families well as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Quarles said in a press...

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, McCreary and Bell counties between March  2021 and April 2021, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Whitley County Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in March 2021 to 4.2 percent in April 2021. Whitley County’s April 2021 unemployment rate was 12.1 percent lower than the April 2020 unemployment rate. Laurel County Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.0 percent in March 2021 to 3.4 percent in April 2021. Laurel County’s April 2021 unemployment rate was 14.9 percent lower than the April 2020 unemployment rate. Knox County Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.8 in...

ALDI is welcoming shoppers back to its renovated Corbin store. The store, at 24 South Highway 1223, is part of an ongoing initiative to remodel and expand existing ALDI stores nationwide. The Corbin store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The updated store provides an improved layout and ample refrigeration to accommodate an expanded fresh and convenient food selection. It also features open ceilings, natural lighting and is built with environmentally friendly materials. Like all ALDI stores, the remodeled Corbin location still offers a streamlined shopping experience, but customers will notice the elevated design. “ALDI continues to prioritize remodeling stores with one goal in mind: to provide the...

What a difference 50 years can make. When Southeast Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries (SEKRI) was founded in Corbin on May 10, 1971, with the purpose of serving people with mental and physical disabilities, when there were virtually no employment opportunities in Southeast Kentucky for people with significant disabilities. “From talking to some folks, the goal was just to create jobs for people who had disabilities. Apparently there was no place in the area for somebody, who at that time primarily had physical disabilities, to be able to go to work and contribute in a fashion. No company and no business would do so,” said SEKRI Director of Purchasing Stan Baker. “My understanding is...

Moonlight Meat Processing and Moonlight Meat Shop of Whitley County are two of the 108 markets across the Commonwealth accepted into the 2021 Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Certified Farm Market Program. In joining the KFB Certified Farm Market Program, these markets have committed to offering quality products and service to their customers. Acceptance by Farm Bureau tells customers that this market meets the highest standards of quality, freshness, and marketing appeal, according to a Kentucky Farm Bureau release. Located in a newly renovated building on Main Street in downtown Williamsburg, Moonlight Meat Shop’s focus is on stocking as many local products as possible. Their sister location, Moonlight Meat Processing Inc., located at...

You can learn a lot about a person while sharing a cup of coffee. Kevin Flora, Ph.D. and Josh Coppock found their interests intertwined and their goals aligned at a coffee shop in Corbin in 2017. Three months later, they were in business together as co-owners of The Holler Creative. Now four years in, the Whitley County entrepreneurs have created a successful digital marketing company with the common goal of seeing Appalachian businesses in communities across the region flourish. “It was amazing how our desires and mission both aligned right out of the gate,” Flora explained. “God truly brought us together to accomplish a bigger overall goal – and we chose...

Mchezo (www.mchezo.com), a jigsaw puzzle publishing company located in Corbin, announced Tuesday the availability of its second wave of puzzles which includes eight all new designs, including two by local artists, and brings the company’s current catalog of in stock designs to 13 across three in-house brands. “Mchezo was founded on the idea that, despite the fast-paced, digital-dominant life many of us lead today, there is still a market for jigsaw puzzles of exceptional quality featuring unique designs and images,” said Ed Bryan, President of Mchezo. “Many of our puzzles highlight the work of Kentucky artists and graphic designers, which is something I feel is important to the identity of...

The Whitley County Farmer’s Market in Williamsburg will kick-off for the season Thursday, and will include a Green Dot Bicycle Rodeo for children. The farmer’s market will take place every Thursday through the growing season at Bill Woods Park on Thursdays starting at 5 p.m. This Thursday the bicycle rodeo will take place in the fountain circle at Bill Woods Park from 5 – 7 p.m. The bicycle rodeo will be for small children ages 2-10, who must have an adult present for registration. Free helmets and goody bags will be provided along with bicycle safety instructions. Green Dot is a violence prevention program. For more information about the bicycle rodeo, call Cathy Sims at...

Crossfit 606 recently celebrated the grand reopening of their business at a new, bigger location off Cumberland Falls Highway between Oak Grove Elementary School and Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department.

P.T. Pros in Williamsburg held a ribbon cutting on April 30, for its newest location in Williamsburg. Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board Member Lisa Harrison presented PT Pros with a plaque to welcome them to the chamber. PT Pros is located off Third Street next to the Whitley County Board of Education.