How Does a Small County Like Ours Overcome Economic Trends?

 In the past 4-5 years, I have noticed some significant changes in society. 

We have started basing our timetable of events on the concept of before COVID and after COVID. In a lot of ways, there are some major differences. People don't get out and gather as much as they used to since the COVID pandemic. Online shopping saw a major boost during COVID, and because of the convenience of it, a lot of people have stuck with it. 

Companies like Amazon really stepped up their offers and have capitalized on the concept of convenience shopping, and because of it, have retained a huge customer base. For example, our neighbors in Laurel County were fortunate enough to gain an Amazon shipping hub that has created several good jobs for that area. 

On the flip side, many areas, including our own, have seen a decline in small town shops and it has put a hurt on small town economies. We don't have the population to attract big businesses so we often get looked over. The larger, more populated areas area seeing upticks because of more economic drivers not limited to population and infrastructure. The State and Federal Governments are naturally going to put more money into more populated areas. 

Since COVID, I have been in many areas of Kentucky for meetings. Many small gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, local restaurants and businesses small and large alike have seen sharp declines. Walgreens closed many stores; IGA stores are shutting down in many areas as well as some Kroger's. It doesn't seem to be in just in one particular area, it's in many areas in Kentucky. 
 
How do we overcome it? What is next for a small County like Jackson County? If we are striking out on businesses locating here what is the next step to keep our local economy alive? 

At the last Fiscal Court meeting we appointed a committee to make recommendations for the park project on McCammon Ridge road. The committee has already met and some bushhogging has already began so we can get a better look at what the next steps will be for this project. We received 4 million dollars to get this multipurpose facility in progress and we want to make the most out of every dollar for this project. Once this facility is complete, we hope that it becomes a regional attractant as well as an economic driver for Jackson County for years to come. I am hopeful that we can say in the future that after COVID Jackson County received a great project that brought economic and community development to our community 

Have a blessed week