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Senator Smith credits Perry County leadership for new development, cites large grant returns and flags Hobby Lobby announcement
Summary
Senator Smith told Perry County officials the county’s investment in infrastructure and grant-seeking positioned it to attract new development, citing a major retail announcement and saying the county accessed substantial grant resources.
Senator Smith praised Perry County officials on their coordination and long-term investment strategy, saying that local infrastructure and seed funding positioned the county to attract new projects and federal matches. "Out of a thousand projects, you all were selected because you had your act together," he said, and he noted a public announcement set for "the nineteenth, with the Hobby Lobby coming in."
Why it matters: county leaders described the region’s ability to combine small local investments with federal matching funds as key to unlocking larger private investment. Senator Smith said those local efforts, combined with state and federal partners, helped the county pursue projects regionally and in Frankfort.
Senator Smith also described the budgeting rhythm in Frankfort and invited county leaders to meet with him during the upcoming budget session to press district priorities. He thanked local officials for disciplined fiscal choices, saying the county’s focus on fundamental infrastructure — water and sewer lines and 911 mapping — made it ready for bigger projects.
An official later asserted that Perry County secured a very large amount of grant funding last year, saying, "Nobody got more grants in the Commonwealth of Kentucky last year except Jefferson County than Perry County" and claiming "over a $100,000,000 in resources" were being brought back to the county; the presiding official in the meeting confirmed that claim as "correct" on the record. The court did not provide documentation of that total during the meeting; it was presented verbally by participants as a summary of recent grant activity.
Next steps: Senator Smith said he would remain available for questions and budget follow-ups; county leaders indicated a major announcement would take place on the 19th related to the Hobby Lobby site.
