A new industrial park development is planned for Knox County. Funding for a new industrial park at Middle Fork Richland Road at Gray was announced last Thursday to the tune of $2.8 million from the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) by Gov. Andy Beshear. That, coupled with $700,000 in local investment brings $3.5 million to the project that was initially laid out years ago.
“This is a proud moment for Knox County,” said Judge-Executive Mike Mitchell in a statement on Friday. “Since early 2019, we have been working diligently to lay the foundation for this type of economic and industrial development. Today, we are seeing those efforts come to life as we invest in ourselves, our workforce, and our future.”
The project includes more than 1,500 acres between Barbourville and Corbin, near the offices of Cumberland Valley Electric and Jackson WWS. The partnership between Knox and Whitley counties behind the venture aims to attract new industries and to bring more jobs to the region. “By securing 1,556 acres for industrial development, the county is positioning itself as a key player in Kentucky’s growing economy,” the statement said.
In a statement from Beshear, the $2.8 million in funding from the KPDI program toward the new Middle Fork Richland Project, which is said to cost $5.6 million.
“Building strong communities is essential to advancing economic development across Kentucky,” said Terri Bradshaw, president of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development. “KPDI allows us to partner with cities and towns statewide to support their economic development goals while empowering them to pursue their vision for growth. I am excited to hear the announcement of these awards and can’t wait to see economic progress they help make possible in the years to come.”
In a social media post on Friday, State Representative for the 86th District, Tom O’Dell Smith shared, “I’m excited about the future and having this property available to bring companies in to create good jobs for our people. More details and information will come on this project. Education, vocational job training and job recruitment will always be a priority.”
In a statement from the Knox County Fiscal Court, Mitchell added, “We would like to thank the Knox County Industrial Development Authority members for their support and for agreeing to manage this property moving forward. Additionally, we are grateful to Governor Beshear, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Senate President Robert Stivers, Representative Tom Odell Smith, Bruce Carpenter, CEO of Southern Kentucky Economic Development, the Knox County Fiscal Court, and Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White for their leadership and commitment to this initiative. This is what regional support looks like, and it is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together.”
