Has any member of the Industrial Commission visited with General Shale to see if there is any support they need to keep their business in our area?
Has any member of the Industrial Commission been to visit Harley-Davidson?
IS there any sense of urgency left in trying to get businesses to bring jobs to our area or in helping local businesses to expand?
With the housing industry nose diving, payment on mortages beginning to late, and the economy getting ready to falter, we are going to go through a tough period soon. Are we ready for it? Now is the time to get ready. We have let two years of Economic Development slip through our hands.
Good questions. The loss of General Shale to our area is going to be big. This company has been a solid part of our community for many years. It is kind of tucked away quietly in Woodbine, but if you have ever been there to see the plant, it is a very impressive operation. There aren't a lot of places for these displaced workers to go in Corbin and find comparable jobs.
I. Hypothetical opportunity - What if a manufacturing company with 500 jobs requiring a 300,000 square foot facility on a 50 acre tract of land wanted to come to Corbin?
II. Question - What site would be available for this business in Corbin's city limits?
a. Where could be located in Corbin, Whitley County?
b. Where could it be located in Corbin, Knox County? 1. The Tri-County Industrial Park, in my opinion, does not have a 50 acre tract that would be suitable for this type of business.
2. The Regional Business Park has several sites that would be suiteable.
3. C. H. Development has, in my opinion, a suitable location just across the bypass from the Regional Park.
III. FACT - Corbin, Whitley County is severely restricted in the types of businesses we can accomodate because of our lack of acreage inside inside its city limits.
IV. Once again, where can a plant with 500 employees, requiring a 300,000 square foot facility on 50 acres be located in Corbin, Whitley County?
V. What are our business opportunities in Corbin, Whitley County?
a. Small niche' entrepreneural businesses b. High Technology Companies c. Major Retail Operations d. Medical Related Services e. Distribution f. Education g. Tourism, Restaurants, Motels h. Development and execution of plan to encourage more people, businesses, and acreage to come into the city. I. Accept role and provide housing for employees who will be working in London/Laurel County.
VI. C. H. Development's site just off the bypass across from the Regional Business Park is an important location for our future opportunities in the energy business, and has space available for large manufacturing operations. The Regional Park in Corbin, Knox County has the space. These sites, however, provide Corbin minimal tax income with Barbourville and Knox County getting the majority.
VII. OPPORTUNITIES - When opportunities are available we cannot be timid and reticent. It is a tough, competitive world. We must be confident, committed, and bold. Projects such as Harley-Davidson are important. If they come here we will have a good chance to attract another hotel, restaurant, and other businesses on the 40 acre tract that now has nothing on it. We need projects like Harley-Davidson.
Bob Terrell, Sr.
-- Edited by Bob Terrell (Sr.) at 23:06, 2007-10-07
