COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2017 CEDS 177 Graham Avenue Bowling Green, KY 42101 December 2017 ALLEN – BARREN – BUTLER – EDMONSON – HART LOGAN – METCALFE – MONROE – SIMPSON - WARREN TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Executive Summary……………………………………………………………….……………………….…..….…..4 II. Summary Background.………………………………………………………………….……………….……...……7 III. SWOT Analaysis…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….9 Economic Background of the Region………………………………..…………………………….…....…..11 . Population…………………………………………………………………………………….…..……….…..…..12 . Population Composition……………………………………………………………………..…….....…….16 . Economy & Workforce………………………………………………………………………………...….….19 . Tourism……………………………………………………………………………………………………………....26 . Education…………………………………………………………………….…………….……………….……...29 . Agriculture…………………………………………………………………….…………………………….………32 . Industrial Infrastructure……………………………………….…………………….……………………….33 . Broadband…………………………………………………………………………………….…….………………37 . Transportation……………………………………………………………………………………..……………..39 . Infrastructure……………………………………………………………………………….………….………….46 . Economic Resilience………………………………………………………………………………......………47 . Natural Disaster Resilience………………………………………………………………………………….49 . Identification of Other Plans and Strategies…………………………….………………………....53 . Integration of State’s Economic Priorities……………………………………………………………56 . Economic Cluster Analysis……………………………………………………………………………………57 IV. Goals/Action Plan………………………………………………………………………………………………………59 V. Evaluation/Performance Measures……………………………………………………………………………70 VI. Strategic Projects………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….71 . Community and Economic Development Projects……………………………………………….72 . Broadband…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..73 . Transportation………………………………………………………………………………………..…………..74 . Sewer…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..76 . Water Projects……………………………………………………………………………..……………………..79 . Hazard Mitigation………………………………………………………………………………………………..82 VII. Appendices………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..95 . Appendix 1 BRADD Population Trends…………………………………………………………………96 . Appendix 2: Existing Industries in the BRADD Region…………………………………………..97 . Authorizing Resolution………………………………………………………………………………………104 BRADD 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2 CHAPTER 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BRADD 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Area Development District concept was originated in Kentucky in 1961 with the establishment throughout the state of what were called Area Development Councils. These became the basis for Kentucky recommendations to place the Area Development authorization in a number of Federal acts, including the Appalachian Regional Development Act and the Public Works and Economic Development Act, of District was 284,195, which represented a 1965. 14.6% growth over the 2000 population of 255,225. The 2016 Population Estimate for the The local-state-federal partnership was fully BRADD area is 299,024, which is a 5.22% realized in the federal acts, which then made increase in population from the 2010 Census. federal designation and funds available for the final establishment of the fifteen Area Females comprised 51.0% of the population in Development Districts, or ADDs, in 1968. By 2010, as compared to 51.2% in 2000. The executive order of the Governor, all state estimates for 2016 reveal that females agencies were directed to work consistently comprised 51.0% of the population. The with the fifteen areas in local area approaches proportion of the gender ratio of the BRADD to programs. region has remained constant throughout the past two decades. The Barren River Area Development District was incorporated in this final system of Districts African Americans comprise the largest racial in June, 1968, and funded as an Economic minority within the BRADD region. In 2010, Development District under 301B of Title III of African Americans comprised 7.7% of the the Public Works and Economic Development population, as compared to 6% in 2000. The Act of 1965. In 1972, the Kentucky General estimates for 2016 reveal that African Assembly provided state statutory Americans comprise 8.1% of the total authorization for the fifteen ADDs with population. Based on these figures it appears enactment of Kentucky Revised Statutes that the BRADD region is experiencing a steady 147A.050. growth of its minority population. The Barren River Area Development District As with the rest of the nation and Kentucky the (BRADD) is a ten-county region located in south population is getting older. The median age for central Kentucky consisting of Allen, Barren, the region in 2010 was 39.5 years as compared Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, to 36.7 years in 2000. 2016 estimates indicate Monroe, Simpson, and Warren Counties and 25 that the median age has risen to 40.7. incorporated cities. The 2010 population of the BRADD 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 4 The BRADD civilian labor force has increased in Western Green River plains to over 800 feet in size from its 2015 level of 132,409 to 134,889 in the eastern hills of Metcalfe and Monroe 2016, a 1.8% increase. Unemployment in the Counties. region has decreased slightly from an annual rate of 5% in 2015 to 4.1% in 2016. According to 2015 estimates the largest number of employees in the Barren River Area Located approximately 60 miles north of were employed in the following three sectors: Nashville, the area is situated with excellent manufacturing; education services and access to markets and suppliers, which is healthcare; and public administration. enhanced by a national transportation network consisting of Interstate 65, the Louie B. Nunn Currently, the major industrial employers in the and Natcher Parkways and CSX railroad running region are the automotive; plastics; metals; through the District. Bowling Green, the largest food; and logistics, warehousing and city in the region, is the location of the Western distribution sectors. Agriculture continues to be Kentucky University and the Kentucky a major component of the economy of the Advanced Technology Center, highly regarded region with many counties ranking at the top of training and education facilities. production in the state for beef cows, cattle and calves, burley tobacco, hay and alfalfa, milk The BRADD consists of approximately 4,000 production, soybeans, grains and hog and pigs. square miles of flat to hilly terrain in the Tourism, with the location of Mammoth Cave Pennyroyal region of the Mississippi Plateau in National Park, Barren River Reservoir State south central Kentucky. Forty percent of the Park, Nolin Reservoir State Park, and numerous area has a karst topography, which has other natural and man-made attractions, endowed the region with man spectacular continues to be a key and growing economic grottoes, sinkholes, and caverns, including sector. Since 2013, travel expenditures in the Mammoth Cave National Park in Barren, region have experienced an annual growth rate Edmonson, and Hart Counties, considered the of 6.6%. Travel expenditures increased from longest cave in the world. The other 60% varies $370 million in 2013 to $395 million in 2014 from gently rolling loess deposited soil and $423 million in 2015 to $451 million in material, to steep residuum material. The 2016. Barren River and Green River drain the area and there are two large flood control/recreation lakes in the region, Barren River Lake and Nolin River Reservoir. All but a small portion of the District is located in the Green River watershed. Elevations range from under 400 feet above sea level along the BRADD 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 5 Chapter 2 SUMMARY BACKGROUND BRADD 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 6 SUMMARY BACKGROUND Organization and Management The Barren River Area Development District In addition to the input of the community, staff (BRADD) is a ten-county region containing 25 utilized the work of the following councils of municipalities located in south central the BRADD Board of Directors to provide Kentucky. The 2010 population of the District is guidance in the development of the Plan: 283,925, which represented a 14.6% growth Area Agency on Aging Council over the 2000 population of 255,225. The 2016 Regional Transportation Council Population Estimate for the BRADD area is Water Management Council 299,024, which is a 5% increase in population Mammoth Cave Biosphere Reserve from the 2010 Census. Council The process began with the review of Based upon review of current the data and background information describing the region. information, the document was updated and The BRADD staff undertook the coordination, presented by staff to the BRADD Executive collection of information and writing of the Council with recommendation of approval to Update. Information consisting of maps, the BRADD Board to adopt the CEDS update. graphs, data and narrative was reviewed and The draft CEDS was made available for public updated where needed. Existing plans of other review by posting on the BRADD web site. The agencies and communities were reviewed for BRADD Board considered the update at its information, problem identification, and goal December 20, 2017 meeting. statements that could be used in the development of the Update. BRADD 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 7 CH APTER 3 SWOT ANALYSIS BRADD 2017 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 8 STRENGTHS: Tourism Manufacturing & Industry Strong transportation network I-65 corridor Education Community services