Gov. Beshear, U.S. Rep. Rogers Announce Industrial Development Investments for Eastern Kentucky Site

Press Release

Governor Steve Beshear and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers today announced a new industrial development project for eastern Kentucky.

They were joined by local and state officials in announcing an investment in infrastructure that will help to complete a new industrial site in Pike County.

The site, called Marion Branch, is a 380-acre former surface mine site which is within Pikeville city limits and owned by the city. Pikeville City Commission worked to obtain the infrastructure of a bridge, road, water and sewer to encourage business development in the area.

Global animal nutrition company Alltech, headquartered in Nicholasville, will become the first occupant on the new Marion Branch industrial site with plans to create an aquaculture and poultry layer facility. The project incorporates objectives of the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) initiative, begun by Gov. Beshear and Rep. Rogers in late 2013 to revitalize the struggling economy in eastern Kentucky counties.

"Today's announcement is proof that there are opportunities for economic development in eastern Kentucky if we work to make them happen," Gov. Beshear said. "This type of partnership, which brings in government resources along with private-sector investment, is an example of what we are trying to do with the SOAR initiative. We want local communities to be key drivers in recovery efforts, as is happening with this project."

"Eastern Kentucky is a great place to work and live -- we're spreading the word that we're open for business," said Rep. Rogers. "One of the top companies in Kentucky is planting roots in our region, and other businesses should take notice of the benefits we have to offer with our competitive workforce, beautiful landscape and growing entrepreneurial support system. I commend Gov. Beshear and our state legislators for realizing the value of investing in the Marion Branch Industrial Site, and Pikeville city leaders for continuing to raise the bar for progress in eastern Kentucky."

Alltech plans to invest in a brand-new aquaculture and poultry layer facility at the site, implementing its sustainable and natural solutions designed to help farmers feed a rapidly growing world population of 9 billion people by 2050.

"We are delighted to have the support of Gov. Beshear, Congressman Hal Rogers and the Commonwealth of Kentucky that will make it possible for Alltech and other companies to operate at the Marion Branch Industrial Park," said Deirdre Lyons, co-founder and director of corporate image and design at Alltech. "We are also thankful to the City of Pikeville for their continued support and shared vision for prosperity in eastern Kentucky. We hope that through our decision to build an aquaculture and layer facility at Marion Branch, as well as a new brewery and distillery in downtown Pikeville, we can be a catalyst for further economic development in the area."

To support the project, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is providing up to $5.73 million for an access road to the Marion Branch Industrial Park. The money will come from a cabinet fund that is specifically for industrial access roads.

The new road will be wide enough to accommodate tractor-trailers. Work is to include paving and striping and installation of curbs and gutters. The city of Pikeville will perform the construction under an agreement with the cabinet.

In addition, the Kentucky Highway Plan provides $8 million for construction of a bridge over the Levisa Fork, which, with approaches, will connect the access road and U.S. 23. In order to advance this project, the state will expedite construction of the bridge.

The Marion Branch site is within five miles of downtown Pikeville. The city acquired the property with the intent to attract development, and has made improvements, including a sewer extension to the property.

"The City of Pikeville and its citizens are so very thankful for the leadership of Gov. Steve Beshear and Congressman Hal Rogers. We sincerely appreciate their commitment to helping the people of eastern Kentucky look for ways to diversify our economy," said Pikeville Mayor Frank Justice. "Through the solid efforts of SOAR, we are making a difference. Today's announcement brings new hope and a golden ray of light to our region. I have had the pleasure of working with a city commission that is forward thinking, sees no boundaries and works in the best interest of those they serve. We are thrilled beyond words to have also formed not only a partnership, but also a close friendship with Dr. (Pearse) and Mrs. Lyons and Alltech. We welcome them as the first new business, with a hope of many more to soon follow in our newly developed industrial site."

In focusing development efforts on the Marion Branch site, the Pikeville City Commission relied in part on findings by InSite, a consultant hired by AEP-Kentucky Power to help local officials with economic development and evaluate potential development sites. The 2013 Regional Blueprint for Economic Development report, submitted to the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce by InSite, found Marion Branch would be a premier site because it was owned and controlled by local government and had many amenities that would attract future businesses.

"Today's announcement is great news for Pikeville, Pike County and all of eastern Kentucky," said Sen. Ray Jones, of Pikeville. "It shows what can be achieved with dedicated leadership. Months of hard work by Pikeville and Pike County officials -- specifically Mayor Frank Justice, City Manager Donovan Blackburn and the Pikeville City Commission -- has resulted in improvements to the new industrial site and the promise of new jobs. This endeavor can be a beacon of hope for other communities by showing it is possible to bring industry -- to bring jobs -- to eastern Kentucky. With continued cooperation from state and national leaders and the team work that went into this development, we will see other opportunities in Kentucky's Appalachian region."

"This announcement is great news for Pikeville and eastern Kentucky," said Rep. Leslie Combs, of Pikeville. "I would like to welcome Alltech to Pike County and I look forward to partnering with them to create new jobs in our community. I am hopeful that this is the first of many economic development announcements associated with the SOAR initiative and I am grateful to be a part an initiative focused on my home in east Kentucky."

Citizens and leaders from throughout the eastern Kentucky region have come together to participate in SOAR and share their forward-looking ideas. Kentuckians from diverse backgrounds have been asked to serve on the SOAR executive committee.

Today's Pikeville/Alltech announcement is in line with the efforts of the 10 SOAR working groups that are leading discussions throughout the region on topics related to eastern Kentucky's future economic well-being and quality of life. Based on citizen and organizational input, the groups will identify significant opportunities and a long-term vision related to their topics. The working groups' focus areas include broadband; agriculture, community and regional foods; business recruitment and incubation; education and retraining; and health.

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