During the monthly meeting of the Woodford Economic Development Authority (EDA) Friday, Jan. 22, Executive Director Lucas Witt told members that Bluegrass Distillers was approved for a low-interest loan by the state Department for Local Governments (DLG). Witt said the approval clears the way for the Lexington-based company to receive a 10-year loan at 2 percent interest. Officials say the company plans to build a distillery on the Mitchell property near Midway Station and employ 18 people. Friday, EDA member Maria Bohanan, who also chairs the Woodford Tourist Commission, spoke of the commission’s “Year of Fantastic Fare” marketing campaign for 2021 and said Bluegrass Distillers was eager to participate. The company, which was founded in 2012 and is co-owned by Woodford County native Sam Rock, would be a good neighbor, she said. Witt said the Bluegrass Area Development District was “immensely helpful” in helping the company navigate the community development block grant process. Roach property A motion to pay the Roach family the final $75,000 owed on the EDA’s option to sell land there passed unanimously. Former EDA Chair John Soper, who now works for the commercial real estate firm hired to market and sell land at Midway Station, credited longtime EDA member Gene Hornback for his vision to seek the option 20 years ago – and the Roach family for their patience. Hornback, who spent nearly a month on a ventilator last year fighting COVID-19, took part in the Zoom meeting by phone and said, “Maybe this year, we (the EDA) can get out from under the debt” at Midway Station. Earlier in the meeting, the financial report prepared by Bohanan that was approved unanimously showed a debt of $1,350,919.74 for Midway Station. The debt is shared 50-50 between the City of Midway and Woodford County. Lakeshore Learning Materials Witt said he’d just had a great meeting with officials at Lakeshore Learning Materials and toured the company’s recently completed second building. The company, which is expected to hire another 100 people, will soon be in “serious hiring mode,” he said. B-5 update Paul Schreffler, who chairs the EDA committee charged with making the 40 acres of B-5-zoned (highway business) land at Midway Station more marketable, said the group was making good progress. He said HMB Engineering’s study of the land was halfway done and that investments in new waterlines, fire hydrants and sewer inlets will likely be necessary. Land sales updates EDA Chair Michael Michalisin said he hoped the sale of 3.67 acres of land at Midway Station to CSI Group, a company that designs robotics equipment for companies like Toyota and is expected to employ 40 people, would close on the company’s timeline. He reminded members that Barnhill Chimney’s option to purchase lot 30 there expires in March. Website/branding Witt said he hoped the EDA could make a decision on whom to hire to revamp and manage its website by the end of March. Bohanan said both of the proposals she’d seen were pretty thorough. Michalisin stressed the importance of the group having a consistent message and brand. Executive session At the end of the meeting, members went into executive session to discuss potential land purchases and sales, but took no action afterwards.
EDA: Bluegrass Distillers approved for low-interest loan
