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Secretary Hindman: Adair most enthusiastic place he's visited Secretary John Hindman lauds Columbia-Adair County enthusiasm for place. Encourages having strategic plan, greater stress on education and communications between economic development, educational forces; stresses tourism as forerunner to economic development. Secretary Hindman says community may find greatest opportunity because of location important north-south transportation hub. By Ed Waggener "I've travelled to towns all over Kentucky," Secretary of Economic Development John Hindman, said, "and I've seen a lot of enthusiasm in all of the towns. But I have to say this, "You are the most enthusiastic about the place you live than anywhere I've been." That, he said, could make the difference in economic development. He was also impressed with the projects and energy going on in Columbia, in the public, private, and educational sectors. "He told us," former Judge Richard Lee Walker said, "that he thought there was more activity, for our size, in Adair County than any place he had been." Judge Ann Melton said that she was hopeful after the Secretary's visit. "He told us we have a lot of things going for us," she said. "He was very complimentary of the infrastructure work. He like the industrial park. He liked the fact that all the utilities are in. He was very impressed with with the new water treatment plant. In fact," she said, "he mentioned once that we had done our job getting the infrastructure in place." He even said," she added, "Now it's time for me to get you an employer--or two." He like the excitement people show when they talk about Adair County And, she said, "The thing he said he noticed most was the excitement people show when they talk about Adair County." Secretary of Commerce John Hindman has returned to Frankfort after a 24 hour, overnight stay in Adair County, highlighted by his speech to the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce at a breakfast this morning attended by approximately 50 government, business, and civic leaders. He offered no quick infusion of jobs, but he did offer sound advice and encouragement. Much of the advice was a compliment to the leadership, here. He told them to have a strategic plan, one they would take down and dust off often, "Not just something for the immediate future, but one for years down the road." He said that Columbia and Adair County need to look more at how education dovetails with economic growth. "There should be closer ties, more communication, and better links between educational leaders and economic development. Secretary Hindman took pains to explain the separation of the Economic Development and politics. He was appointed during the last year of the administration of Gov. Ernie Fletcher. He continues to serve in the administration of Governor Steve Beshear, who defeated Governor Fletcher, and said that his five year contract will run into the next administration. The whole design, he said, is to keep politics out of the equation. Businesses locating facilities want to know that commitments will be honored regardless of political fortunes. They want continuity on commitments, he said. As for a prospect for Adair County getting new employment, Secretary Hindman presented a sobering outlook. "We're in difficult economic times," he said. "And we can't just send a prospect to a location of our choice." He noted that usually companies and their consultants will have narrowed their choices to two or three locations. But, he said, there are times will a prospect will present parameters and ask the economic development cabinet for suggestions on possibilities, "And that is when we can help Columbia and Adair County. Columbia is in a good geographic position, has good highways Secretary Hindman pointed out that Columbia has a good location. And he suggested that while proximity to Somerset and Glasgow on the Louie B. Nunn Parkway might be an asset, that the community might look more to the North-South corridor. He said that Columbia has more in common with development goals with a community such as Campbellsville. He said that with Columbia's highway hub, many companies may be wanting to locate closer to the Louie B. Nunn. Urges strong tourism to help sell community to residential prospects And he was very enthusiastic about the development of tourism, not for the jobs the industry creates in and of itself. Tourism tends to get communities to showcase themselves in the best light. The advertising, he said, helps to get the professionals and the more educated to migrate to the community after they see that it is, in fact, a good place to live. Secretary Hindman said that Lt. Governor Mongiardo (who was recently in Columbia and who spoke about the importance of tourism to the state) is pushing tourism, which is a part of the Commerce Cabinet. "I'm very supportive," Secretary Hindman said. Secretary Hindman said that he was glad he came to Adair County. "It will help me in my work to help you." It helped him get to know the personality of the community, and the personality of a community is a very important factor. He repeated his statement about the community's love for this place. "I've not been to any community as you are." Judge Melton said she got the feeling that something very positive will come of the Secretary's visit. "I think he genuinely liked the reception he got here. I think that if there is a possibility of the state sending a prospect here, he'll do it." An intensive two day visit On the visit, the Secretary met with Judge Melton, Sue Stivers, and Mayor Bell. Yesterday he started his tour with lunch at the Cafe on the SquareNext came a tour of Green River Commerce Park and a meeting with Lennon Stone, manager of the Adair County Water District, and Joe Hare of the Columbia Utilities Commission. After that, there was a tour of the new Adair County Water Treatment plant. Next, the group met with Richard L. Walker for a tour of Holladay Place. The secretary was taken on a driving tour of the Columbia By Pass, Pinewood Country Club, and for a meeting with John Rarey, Chairman of the Columbia Adair County Airport Board. Next, Secretary Hindman toured Majestic Yachts, Inc., led by President Jim Hadley. Last evening, the Secretary Hindman was taken on a dinner cruise on Green River Lake, hosted by David L. Butler, owner of Holmes Bend Marina & Resort. It was the first time he had ever been on a houseboat, he said. After this morning's breakfast, at which Chamber President Donna Stotts presided and CJE Ann Melton introduced the Secretary, there was a tour of Columbia's IMO plant. Midmorning, Secretary Hindman toured Highland Raku Studio and Gallery, hosted by owners Jeff and Henrietta Scott. His last visit was a tour of the Lindsey Wilson Campus emphasizing Fugitte Science Center. A noon lunch at Betty Ollstadt's OK Country Restaurant closed out the visit. A large number at breakfast to meet Secretary Hindman Among those at the breakfast were the following: CJE Ann Melton, Sue Stivers, Kaye Bowman, Barry Corbin, Roger Drake, Jim Hadley, Doug McCammish, Monica Rodgers, Mayor Pat Bell, Donna Stotts, Stephen Keen, Mindy Smith, Charles Barnes, Vice President Ron Heath, Lindsey Wilson College; Dan Franklin, Benton Fudge, Patricia Harper, Dave Johnston, Arlinda Kessler, Darrell Overstreet, Superintendent Darrell Treece, Dana Walker, Ann Martin, Robert Flowers, Betty Moyers-Anderson,And, Linda Waggener, Ed Waggener, June Parson, Richard Walker, Charles Grimsley, Sammy Baker, Danny Goodin, Perry Reeder, Billy Cofey, Joe Rogers, Terry Hadley, Craig Dean, Joe Moore, Edwin Taylor, Terry Cochran, Paul Hayes, Sharon Burton, Area Economic Development Leader Fran Carrico, Richard Phelps, Dan Koger, and Dr. Chuck Giles. The breakfast was catered by Barbara Overstreet. This story was posted on 2008-05-13 16:34:21
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Reminder: No School Bd. Meeting May 15. May 29, 2008 instead Junior Beta Club visits Diane Sawyer, GMA, in NYC (ADV): Let powerful CM Classifieds work 24/7 for you! Agenda: Adair Fiscal Court meeting tonight, May 13, 2008 Mitchell Jon to sing at Jones Chapel UMC 32 Adair Co. graduates, 2008 LWC Spring commencement Dormans thank this special place: Adair County Letter: Patient with chest pains complains of denial of treatment JAIS art show Thursday and Friday New Hope SBC will hold annual auction, gospel singing View even more articles in topic News |
 
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