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U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) announced $4 Million for a Jessamine County Project in person this week. 

 

Speaking to local leaders, including commissioners, magistrates, and business professionals, Barr announced federal funding for acquiring 91 acres of land on the south side of Nicholasville.

 

“When we ask, we get listened to. And we asked Representative Barr [for his help].” said Judge Executive David West in a video of the funding announcement filmed by the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce. 

 

This federal funding will be used to acquire and develop the 91 acres into the industrial-ready expanded Jennette Industrial Park. 

 

Representative Barr said this industrial park will bring 600 high-paying jobs to the county and likely more. “When you have a sophisticated infrastructure in place, you can attract high-quality technology and aerospace jobs,” said Congressman Barr.

 

Judge David West said the county hasn’t had an official industrial park for 35 years. 

 

It came down to an important question: “Where would we put a business if one was interested? I got to looking around, and we did not have a sufficient amount of industrial land,” said West.

 

After meeting with local leaders, including Judge West, Nicholasville Mayor Alex Carter, and Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater, Barr advocated for the municipalities to the House Appropriations Committee for $2 million in the Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills.

 

“What I really like about this project and the reason why I advocated for this grant for Jessamine County is because of the return on investment. There’s a substantial return on investment with this taxpayer investment because of the [amount of high-paying jobs] that could come into the industrial land. That expands the tax base for Jessamine County, for the city of Wilmore [and] the city of Nicholasville. So the taxpayer investment pays for itself by paying for jobs and growing the tax base.”

 

Due to revenue stacking, which aims to encourage the three municipalities in the county to work together, all three entities will profit from the revenue generated by these jobs. 

 

“Jessamine County is a rapidly growing part of my congressional district, a rapidly growing part of Kentucky. It has so much to offer in terms of livability, in terms of the central location, in terms of the welcoming demeanor of the people. The people of Jessamine County have earned this and they deserve it, and they earned the ability to attract and retain more [plus] high-quality jobs to the area.” Barr said. 

 

Judge West said the park should be completed within the next couple of years.