Industrial Authority receives update on KY 933 By SANDRA STONE The Meade County-Brandenburg Industrial Authority met July 7 for its annual meeting. Rep. Gerry Lynn was in attendance and provided an update on the status of KY 933. He distributed a letter from the Transportation Cabinet which indicated it has authorized funding to begin right-of-way acquisition and relocate utilities for the project with the intent of beginning the process by the beginning of 2007. The $6,300,000 construction phase is not currently identified in the six-year highway plan. If all goes well, the letter continued, construction could begin during the next budget cycle (2009-2010) provided state funding can be made available. While the Industrial Authority has been meeting quite frequently of late with developments in both the new industrial park and the recently redefined commercial park, this was the meeting during which annual business such as budgets, terms and officer elections was handled. The terms of Authority members Jeanna Turner and Harry Lee Lusk are up at the end of this year. On a motion by Carl Austin, seconded by Kittie Smith, the vote was unanimous to recommend reappointment of these two county representatives. Election of officers was accomplished by an Austin motion to retain the current slate. On a second by Lusk, all were in favor of retaining David Pace, Rick Myers and Kittie Smith as chairman, vice-chairman and secretary/treasurer, respectively. Pace presented the budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The balance as of July 1 was $109,963. Budgeted revenues include $5,000 from the city of Brandenburg and $10,000 from Meade County Fiscal Court for operating expenses, $500 in interest and $5,763 in farm leases. Remaining grant funds in the amount of $20,537 are also available. Mayor Ronnie Joyner was in attendance, and Pace thanked him for the city’s support of the Industrial Development Authority. Austin asked if there would be any money owed when parcels of the new industrial park are sold. Pace advised the sale of parcels would not affect the Authority’s budget as those transactions would go through county treasurer Shirley Fackler. All proceeds from the sale of parcels will go to Meade County Fiscal Court until the original purchase price is recouped. After that, proceeds will be used by the Authority for future development. Pace provided an update on several issues. The Agrifuels option was signed in May, and Pace advised things look promising for finalizing the sale. Challenges remain in coming to an agreement with regard to the road through the new industrial park. MSE had been directed to meet with the other engineering firms involved (those working with the Riverport Authority and the state) to find common ground. that has not yet happened, and Pace has asked MSE to spearhead the decision making process. Riverport Authority chairman Don Bewley has asked for a feasibility study, but Pace said he thinks a study is not needed until a decision on the road design is made. If the original road design is accepted, said Pace, that limits the size of parcels which can be sold, thereby limiting growth potential. A Riverport Authority meeting was scheduled for July 10. Pace advised he would draft a letter with an Industrial Authority update for Magistrate Herbie Chism to present at the meeting. Bulldozing and seeding work has been completed at the new site. The work was performed by Richardson Bulldozing at a cost of $6,000. Pace said the work had resulted in a substantial improvement to the site. Jerry Hardesty, who is leasing the land for farming, expressed concern about the deer population and proposed several options for addressing the problem. Without additional information about the proposed solutions and with a concern about possible challenges when prospects visited the site, the Authority voted to form a committee to meet with Hardesty and discuss options prior to making a decision. One last item regarding the new industrial park was the agreement between Arch Chemicals and Quicksilver. Attorney David Wilson will review the agreement regarding pipeline placement and report on his findings at the next meeting. With regard to the Bill Corum Commercial Park, a groundbreaking for the BuildMax office building is in the works. The first phase of a 10,000-square-foot space will be sufficient for 48 employees with a future expansion planned. Engineer Tim Smith is currently looking at how best to lay out sidewalk easements in the commercial park. The board entered closed session per 61810(1)(b) -- acquisition/sale of real property -- and returned to open session with no action taken. The next Industrial Authority meeting will be Aug. 1 at 8.
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