Franklin County approves Keaton Lane industrial authority and backs state economic development application

Franklin County Judge/Executive Michael Mueller presided Nov. 26 as the Fiscal Court approved two linked resolutions to create a nonprofit industrial development authority for the Keaton Lane area and to support an application for state economic development funding.

The court adopted Resolution #48, authorizing an interlocal agreement to establish the Keaton Lane Industrial Development Authority, on a 5–2 vote after Squire Mike Harrod moved the measure and Squire Sherry Sebastian seconded it. Recorded opposition on Resolution #48 came from Squires Sherry Sebastian and Eric Whisman. The resolution sets the county’s authorization to participate in the formation of a nonprofit industrial development authority; the text of the interlocal agreement and specific property descriptions were not provided on the record at the meeting.

Shortly afterward, the court amended the agenda under "other business" and approved Resolution #49, which supports submittal of an Economic Development application to the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet by Franklin County for property acquisition, due diligence, and road and infrastructure improvements related to creating the Keaton Lane Industrial Development Authority. Squire Mike Harrod moved the agenda amendment and Squire Richard Tanner seconded; when the application-support resolution was taken up, the motion passed with a single recorded opposition from Squire Eric Whisman.

Both resolutions were presented and voted on as standalone motions during the regular meeting; recorded roll-call votes were entered into the minutes for each. The court did not state any dollar amounts, grant match requirements, or deadlines for submission on the public record during the meeting. The next procedural steps recorded on the meeting minutes are to proceed with the interlocal agreement and the submittal process to the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet as allowed by the approved resolutions.

The measures clear the way for Franklin County to pursue state economic development assistance for infrastructure and property work that county leaders say is intended to facilitate industrial development in the Keaton Lane area. Additional details, including the interlocal agreement text, specific project budgets, and anticipated timelines, were not specified in the meeting record and will need to be provided later when the county advances the application and any associated contracts.