$25M in budget for conference center
Mar. 29—ASHLAND — Mayor Matt Perkins was elated upon seeing the state budget $25 million over the next two fiscal years to go toward a conference center in Ashland.
The Free Conference Committee reported the following to be adopted: "$12.5 million in each fiscal year (2024-25 and 2025-26) to the Department for Local Government budget unit to be distributed to the City of Ashland to construct a new conference center complex."
Perkins said it's the biggest appropriation in the city's history.
"It's a big thank you to (Gov. Andy Beshear) and Rocky (Adkins, Senior Adviser) and the House and Senate leadership for taking care of eastern Kentucky," Perkins said.
The mayor had said on Thursday in the city commission meeting that Ashland is the largest city in eastern Kentucky and did not have a conference center — using Pikeville as an example. Pikeville has less than half of the population of Ashland, and it has a conference center.
"The state knows we're on the cusp of great things in our community," Perkins said. "It's one piece of the puzzle that's getting us to where we need to be as a community for jobs and economic development."
Perkins said he, City Manager Mike Graese and the commissioners "were holding our breath" in hopes that the $25 million would be included in the finalized budget.
"The other important thing is this is a bipartisan effort to support our people," said the mayor.
As commissioner Amanda Clark mentioned on Thursday, the city will continue looking at other grants, too, to help with the cost of the project.
"Our work is not done," Perkins said.
He emphasized the importance of having a conference center that will "hold a bunch of people" and allow Ashland to host prominent events.
The commission previously voted to move forward on contract negotiations between the city and builders (AP3 LLC), pending this much-anticipated approval.
(606) 326-2664 — asnyder@dailyindependent.com
