jobs, which in turn supports a great quality of life for our citizens.” A DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE Once dotted with vacant storefronts, Cynthiana’s Main Street is a true success story. “We have a beautiful downtown that frequently has events, and festivals. Almost every weekend there’s something going on in our downtown area,” says the mayor. “One of the keys to our turnaround has been the team that we have in place, and a change from the old mindset where these buildings were owned for generations in the same family, but no investment done.” Over the past few years, Cynthiana has seen interest from young entrepreneurs who are bringing new life to the district. As part of the revitalization strategy, the city also has a plan in place for facade improvement grants, streetscape upgrades, and the addition of pocket parks and public restrooms. ECONOMIC GROWTH BEYOND DOWNTOWN Harrison Memorial Hospital is the largest employer in Cynthiana, while the city’s 200-acre business park has just 50 acres remaining. To support future development, Cynthiana and Harrison County have recently acquired an additional 60 acres of land adjacent to the park. When it comes to business attraction, Economic Development Director Garnett Furnish says there is a strong focus on manufacturing. Current initiatives include the arrival of an industrial hemp company and the expansion of EZ Pack, which is constructing a new 250,000-square-foot facility. “We’ve got a tremendous amount of activity happening in the community, and it’s thanks to a great team,” he boasts. TACKLING THE HOUSING SHORTAGE Several years ago, Cynthiana commissioned a housing study that revealed a strong need for affordable housing, particularly one-bedroom units and starter homes. A recent housing forum gathered builders, realtors, and city and county leadership to discuss strategies for expanding the housing stock.“We laid out the study and what we needed to build to meet the demand. And those are being met,” says Mayor Smith. “We’re hitting it from all angles.” “It’s been a big issue, but it’s not just Cynthiana and Harrison County, it’s all the surrounding communities,” acknowledges Furnish, adding that development is happening county wide, and homes that are being built are selling quickly. He details a recent project which added 34 single-family homes, with plans to build an additional 24. “Those are three bedroom and two bath homes [at the price point of] $250,000,” expands Furnish. “So, if we can concentrate on that 169 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 CYNTHIANA, KY
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx