Greenup County leaders outline multiple development projects, say jobs and infrastructure are coming

Greenup County Judge Executive Bobby Hall told the Greenup County Fiscal Court on Feb. 11 that a set of infrastructure and economic-development projects under negotiation could bring new jobs and private investment to the county.

Hall said the county’s 2023 Siloam water project not only provided service to homes but also added fire hydrants and cleared roughly 1,000 acres of developable land. He said the county’s work with the cities, contractors and Appalachian Electric Power to add an electrical substation—and a newly created countywide ambulance service—has helped make the area more attractive to industry.

“Greenup County has a really bright future because of everybody’s team effort,” Hall said during a lengthy presentation to the court. Hunter Boyd, Northeast Kentucky economic development director who was in the meeting, asked the public to “stay tuned” for formal announcements on several properties now under contract or under letter of intent.

Hall provided specifics the court had not previously aired in detail. He said the county has a nondisclosure agreement on a parcel just under 200 acres on the west side of the three tracks, has opened discussions with the McKale family on a second parcel and is negotiating other parcels near East Park. He said a project at the county Riverport involving an out‑of‑state company and a four‑acre set‑aside for a Columbus‑area firm called Strawser are moving forward. He also said Mitakon secured a contract with Marathon and will occupy a facility at the five‑county industrial property in nearby Boyd County.

Hall and Boyd tied those prospects to a sequence of local infrastructure improvements: the Siloam water extension, the county ambulance service that created full‑time and part‑time jobs, and AEP’s substation. Hall said the ambulance service alone created roughly 40 full‑time and 14 part‑time jobs, and that other projects at East Park and the Riverport could add further employment.

Kevin Callahan, Greenup County ambulance director, told the court the department is processing enhanced Medicaid applications and expects reimbursements to begin soon, which he said will help ongoing operations. “Payments are expected to start any day,” Callahan said.

Hall asked residents and local officials to continue cooperating on infrastructure and permitting so projects can close on schedule; he said several formal announcements and closings are possible in the next 30 to 70 days.

The court did not take formal votes tied to the specific property negotiations during the presentation; Hall and Boyd framed the update as informational and as background for future decisions.

Looking ahead, Hall said the county will continue negotiations with private owners and potential tenants, and that final contract details will be shared when agreements permit. Boyd said several projects are in different phases of development and reiterated that announcements will follow as deals finalize.