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Judge Barnes addresses criticism of Industrial Authority land purchase; grant application defeated by prior court vote
Summary
Judge-Executive Mason Barnes addressed criticism of the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority’s plan to buy roughly 66.5 acres adjacent to Henderson Industrial Park and said a prior court vote failed 2–3 to back an Economic Development Fund application for up to $1.75 million toward the purchase and infrastructure; residents voiced opposition and the county treasurer said the authority has not defaulted on bonds.
County Judge-Executive Mason Barnes addressed public concern and criticism over the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority’s move to purchase the Brown property — about 66.5 acres adjacent to the Henderson Industrial Park — and an accompanying application to the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet for up to $1,750,000 from the Economic Development Fund (EDF) to help finance the purchase and related infrastructure.
Barnes apologized for earlier explanations and clarified that at the Jan. 18 Fiscal Court meeting a motion to approve a resolution supporting the EDF application was defeated in a 2–3 roll-call vote. He said the Industrial Authority Board nevertheless approved the purchase and that proceeds from a successful EDF grant would substantially benefit the community. Barnes warned that rejecting grant opportunities could jeopardize future chances to secure state grants.
A small group of residents opposed to the purchase attended the meeting; Thomas Sherer spoke for the group. County Treasurer Nicole Law said an audit of the Industrial Authority’s finances was available and confirmed the authority has not defaulted on bond payments to the county. County Attorney Sam Phillips briefly explained the development and zoning process to attendees and encouraged timely payment of 2023 property taxes to avoid penalties.
No new resolution or appropriation regarding the Brown property purchase was approved during the Feb. 20 meeting.
