Each year, Chamber members determine our organization's
legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Representatives from local
government, businesses, and civic organizations present information to educate
Chamber members on projects and proposals in need of legislative funding and
support. Chamber members review the information, and projects are ranked
according to priority. This list is then presented to elected officials and
discussed during the Chamber’s annual Legislative Breakfast.
The Chamber will use an online information and ranking process
to refine the list before it is presented at the Legislative Breakfast, set for
8 a.m. Thursday, December 13 in the Joseph R. Miller Auditorium at Baptist Health Madisonville.
Call us at 270-821-3435 for more information.
Brown Road Sidewalks - Safe Routes to School
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
The Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) is designed to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.
The Safe Routes to School Program is a Federal-Aid program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Program was created by Section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act (SAFETEA-LU).
The City wants to build upon its earlier success of obtaining funding for a similar sidewalk project along Grapevine Road. In the securing of additional funding for the construction of sidewalks along Brown Road, near James Madison Middle School, a public safety issue can be addressed. This project would total 5,325 LF and would cost an estimated $238,956 to construct.
North Madisonville Water Pressure Upgrades
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
Currently the City's water system operates on one pressure zone. Due to the expansion of the northern service area and the demand from interconnected water districts, the City has planned for the construction of a new water tank and a pump station in the northern service area, creating a second pressure zone operating at a higher pressure level. This project will provide improved domestic water service and improved fire protection in this service area. Waterline extensions are included in the project as is an emergency standby generator to assure service during power interruptions.
Through use of computer modeling, a final design has been completed which allowed the project to be fully permitted by all affected agencies. All easements and property has been acquired. Total estimated costs for this project are $2,041,927 (inclusive of construction and engineering costs) with $800,000 having been earmarked by The City of Madisonville through remaining bond funds.
Project construction is estimated to take 18 months and will add approximately $1,000,000 to the local economy during the construction phase through employment contracts.
Keeping the vision and pursuing the completion of the Hopkins County Regional
Sports Complex should be a priority. For
many years citizens and organizations, including those that serve
our young people, have discussed the
need to improve and update youth sports facilities in the county.
Although many
sports activities take place at various locations throughout the county,
the area where most of our youth play softball, baseball and soccer is
in
a poor location that often floods.
The new Sports Complex will provide facilities that have proper drainage, lighting, turf, and greater accessibility. To date, about $1.2 million has been invested in this project, including property acquisition, site design, earthwork, and sewer installation. Estimated cost for this project is $7.5-8 million.
Not only will the Sports Complex offer a quality facility for the youth of Hopkins County, but an independent economic impact study conducted in June 2012 revealed that sports tournaments have the potential to generate several thousand dollars in revenue as well as support jobs in our community.
Brown Road Sidewalks - Safe Routes to School
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
The Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) is designed to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.The Safe Routes to School Program is a Federal-Aid program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Program was created by Section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act (SAFETEA-LU).
The City wants to build upon its earlier success of obtaining funding for a similar sidewalk project along Grapevine Road. In the securing of additional funding for the construction of sidewalks along Brown Road, near James Madison Middle School, a public safety issue can be addressed. This project would total 5,325 LF and would cost an estimated $238,956 to construct.
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
Currently the City's water system operates on one pressure zone. Due to the expansion of the northern service area and the demand from interconnected water districts, the City has planned for the construction of a new water tank and a pump station in the northern service area, creating a second pressure zone operating at a higher pressure level. This project will provide improved domestic water service and improved fire protection in this service area. Waterline extensions are included in the project as is an emergency standby generator to assure service during power interruptions.
Through use of computer modeling, a final design has been completed which allowed the project to be fully permitted by all affected agencies. All easements and property has been acquired. Total estimated costs for this project are $2,041,927 (inclusive of construction and engineering costs) with $800,000 having been earmarked by The City of Madisonville through remaining bond funds.
Project construction is estimated to take 18 months and will add approximately $1,000,000 to the local economy during the construction phase through employment contracts.
Hopkins County Regional Sports Complex
Submitted by Hopkins County Fiscal Court
The new Sports Complex will provide facilities that have proper drainage, lighting, turf, and greater accessibility. To date, about $1.2 million has been invested in this project, including property acquisition, site design, earthwork, and sewer installation. Estimated cost for this project is $7.5-8 million.
Not only will the Sports Complex offer a quality facility for the youth of Hopkins County, but an independent economic impact study conducted in June 2012 revealed that sports tournaments have the potential to generate several thousand dollars in revenue as well as support jobs in our community.
For more information about the Hopkins County Regional Sports Complex, call Hopkins County Government Center at 821-8294.
Madisonville Postsecondary Education Building
Presented by Madisonville Community College and Murray State University
The Regional Postsecondary Education Center provides for the necessary expansion of classroom and program space for educational opportunities at the bachelor’s and master’s level. In conjunction with Madisonville Community College and Murray State University, this KCTCS facility will serve the growing needs for postsecondary education and positively impact economic development.
Currently, Murray State - Madisonville cannot expand programming opportunities locally without additional space allocation. And, with, the local campus now the largest enrolled regional campus of Murray State University, the timing is right for this Regional Postsecondary Education Center.
Designed to serve the growing educational needs of the region, each level of the building is zoned for separate functions. The Lower Level comprises public functions including the bookstore, student commons, a multi-use quad classroom, a tiered classroom, and a computer classroom. The Second Floor will serve as administrative offices while the Third Floor will be comprised of classrooms as well as a community resource, training, and conference center.
In 2006, $300,000 was allocated for project planning. As a result, Myers Jolly Architects were hired and Phase A of the project was presented for approval. With Phase A and Phase B planning complete, $19.4 million will be requested for construction.
For more information, call Heather Roy at 825-5052.
East Center Street-Island Ford Connector Road
Submitted by Ershig Properties
The community growth of Hanson is limited in part by the volume and rate of wastewater discharge that Madisonville's sanitary sewer system can accommodate for conveyance and treatment. The proposed project is to address that constraint by providing a relief interceptor sewer that will reroute certain existing flows with Madisonville's system, which will in turn allow Hanson to assume some of that redirected capacity.
The Hanson Relief Interceptor calls for an upgraded pump station, 2,500 LF of 12" force main and 10,600 LF of gravity mains. In addition to addressing this growth restraint on Hanson, this project also provides the means to eliminate three existing pump stations within Madisonville's sanitary sewer system (Southern States PS, Thompson Avenue PS, and West Noel Avenue PS).
The study conducted has estimated construction costs for this project as follows: the cost for the interceptor sewer at $3,410,000; the project development cost estimated at $1,023,000; for a total project cost of $4,433,000 (at 2009 dollars).
This project has been submitted through the Pennyrile Area Development District office and approved for inclusion under the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, No. SX21107022.
Support for continued development of Interstate 69
Submitted by the Public Issues Committee of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Key to the I-69 project will be the building of a new bridge spanning the Ohio River between Henderson County and Vanderburgh County in Indiana, and construction of a 10-mile stretch of connector highway around Henderson between the bridge and the Pennyrile Parkway. The Public Issues Committee of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce recommends that I-69 be placed in a priority status when considering the 2013 Chamber Legislative Agenda.
For more information about C-LINK, visit www.Buildi69-ky.com.
Madisonville Postsecondary Education Building
Presented by Madisonville Community College and Murray State University
The Regional Postsecondary Education Center provides for the necessary expansion of classroom and program space for educational opportunities at the bachelor’s and master’s level. In conjunction with Madisonville Community College and Murray State University, this KCTCS facility will serve the growing needs for postsecondary education and positively impact economic development.Currently, Murray State - Madisonville cannot expand programming opportunities locally without additional space allocation. And, with, the local campus now the largest enrolled regional campus of Murray State University, the timing is right for this Regional Postsecondary Education Center.
Designed to serve the growing educational needs of the region, each level of the building is zoned for separate functions. The Lower Level comprises public functions including the bookstore, student commons, a multi-use quad classroom, a tiered classroom, and a computer classroom. The Second Floor will serve as administrative offices while the Third Floor will be comprised of classrooms as well as a community resource, training, and conference center.
In 2006, $300,000 was allocated for project planning. As a result, Myers Jolly Architects were hired and Phase A of the project was presented for approval. With Phase A and Phase B planning complete, $19.4 million will be requested for construction.
For more information, call Heather Roy at 825-5052.
East Center Street-Island Ford Connector Road
Submitted by Ershig Properties
The Center
Street – Island
Ford Connector Road will provide the means for organized growth and expansion to
this important area of Madisonville.
This artery will be equivalent to the ‘Ring Roads’ enjoyed by many towns and
cities in Kentucky, which have greatly benefited and prospered from this important community
infrastructure. The impact of this artery will create several hundred local
jobs per year for many years to come.
During the past 15 years Ershig Properties, Inc. has been
actively involved in commercial real estate as well as numerous community
benefit programs in the Madisonville and Hopkins County area. We commenced with the acquisition of Parkway
Plaza Mall and several years ago undertook the challenge of developing the Ruby property, now identified
as Mid Town Commons. This major multi-use development will consist of retailers, restaurants, service
industries, office parks, residential complexes and more. During the 4 year
economic recession which faced our country Mid Town Commons had to take a back seat in
order to bring forth new retailers to restore the Mall. We are now ready to actively pursue development of the Mid Town Commons area.
For many years, citizens have supported the need for a Connector Road linking Center Street with Island Ford Road. And since our company’s involvement in the Ruby property we brought forth a plan to bring a new development program for this area provided this artery could be realized. For this artery to become a reality, it will require the full simultaneous support of city, county and state government as well as CSX Railroad and the private sector. Our company has spent considerable time and energy pursuing this total support and has thus far achieved the endorsement of Pennyrile Area Development District and, most recently, the cooperation of CSX Railroad. The above endorsements have also been complimented by high interest from previous Chamber Legislative Priorities programs. We expect to soon commence with the Mid Town Commons intersection with Center Street to accommodate Phase 1 for this development.
For many years, citizens have supported the need for a Connector Road linking Center Street with Island Ford Road. And since our company’s involvement in the Ruby property we brought forth a plan to bring a new development program for this area provided this artery could be realized. For this artery to become a reality, it will require the full simultaneous support of city, county and state government as well as CSX Railroad and the private sector. Our company has spent considerable time and energy pursuing this total support and has thus far achieved the endorsement of Pennyrile Area Development District and, most recently, the cooperation of CSX Railroad. The above endorsements have also been complimented by high interest from previous Chamber Legislative Priorities programs. We expect to soon commence with the Mid Town Commons intersection with Center Street to accommodate Phase 1 for this development.
To attract expanding companies to this area, we must present
a progressive community on the move. We ask the Chamber to continue to endorse
this needed infrastructure and help get this road approved and "over
the tracks" so it may become a reality.
CSX Mainline Relocation
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
Currently the CSX mainline runs through downtown Madisonville. A separate track, known as the “Earlington Cut-Off” lies on the east side of Madisonville. The proposal is to construct two passing tracks along the Earlington Cut-Off, each being 2 miles in length, and abandon the downtown main line track at a projected cost of $8,000,000.00.
The existing track is a major safety hazard with 15 at-grade crossings. One fatality and a second near-fatal accident have occurred within the past few years. The main line track also crosses the main entrance to the hospital and runs within 300 feet of an elementary school. In addition to the major safety concerns, including the transportation of hazardous chemicals, the tracks greatly increase traffic congestion, increase downtown noise and reduce the quality of life in downtown Madisonville.
The city has progressed to the design phase and is working on the actual costs associated with this project.
Madisonville-Hanson Wastewater Project
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
CSX Mainline Relocation
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
Currently the CSX mainline runs through downtown Madisonville. A separate track, known as the “Earlington Cut-Off” lies on the east side of Madisonville. The proposal is to construct two passing tracks along the Earlington Cut-Off, each being 2 miles in length, and abandon the downtown main line track at a projected cost of $8,000,000.00.The existing track is a major safety hazard with 15 at-grade crossings. One fatality and a second near-fatal accident have occurred within the past few years. The main line track also crosses the main entrance to the hospital and runs within 300 feet of an elementary school. In addition to the major safety concerns, including the transportation of hazardous chemicals, the tracks greatly increase traffic congestion, increase downtown noise and reduce the quality of life in downtown Madisonville.
The city has progressed to the design phase and is working on the actual costs associated with this project.
Madisonville-Hanson Wastewater Project
Submitted by the City of Madisonville
The community growth of Hanson is limited in part by the volume and rate of wastewater discharge that Madisonville's sanitary sewer system can accommodate for conveyance and treatment. The proposed project is to address that constraint by providing a relief interceptor sewer that will reroute certain existing flows with Madisonville's system, which will in turn allow Hanson to assume some of that redirected capacity.The Hanson Relief Interceptor calls for an upgraded pump station, 2,500 LF of 12" force main and 10,600 LF of gravity mains. In addition to addressing this growth restraint on Hanson, this project also provides the means to eliminate three existing pump stations within Madisonville's sanitary sewer system (Southern States PS, Thompson Avenue PS, and West Noel Avenue PS).
The study conducted has estimated construction costs for this project as follows: the cost for the interceptor sewer at $3,410,000; the project development cost estimated at $1,023,000; for a total project cost of $4,433,000 (at 2009 dollars).
This project has been submitted through the Pennyrile Area Development District office and approved for inclusion under the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, No. SX21107022.
Support for continued development of Interstate 69
Submitted by the Public Issues Committee of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
In October 2011, 55 miles of Kentucky's parkways received official Interstate 69 designation, including 38 miles of the Wendell Ford/Western
Kentucky Parkway beginning at the interchange with the Pennyrile Parkway
in Hopkins County. The portion of the Pennyrile Parkway from
Henderson to the Western Kentucky Parkway interchange is still
designated a future I-69 corridor. The Madisonville-Hopkins County
Chamber of Commerce, as a member of Chamber Leadership Initiatives for
Northwestern Kentucky, or C-LINK, a group of 12 chambers of commerce
representing communities in 10 Northwest Kentucky counties, encourages
our state and federal legislators to continue to pursue completion of
Kentucky's portion of Interstate 69.
Key to the I-69 project will be the building of a new bridge spanning the Ohio River between Henderson County and Vanderburgh County in Indiana, and construction of a 10-mile stretch of connector highway around Henderson between the bridge and the Pennyrile Parkway. The Public Issues Committee of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce recommends that I-69 be placed in a priority status when considering the 2013 Chamber Legislative Agenda.
For more information about C-LINK, visit www.Buildi69-ky.com.
