The Woodford Economic Development Authority’s (EDA) monthly meeting Friday, July 22, featured appearances (via Zoom) by Bluegrass Distillers owners Sam Rock and Ben Franzini. EDA Executive Director Lucas Witt said the EDA’s equipment lease with the company had been executed. The agreement was necessary for the company to obtain a $440,000 community development block grant low-interest loan. The EDA will purchase the equipment and lease it to Bluegrass Distillers for a decade and use the company’s repayment – $418,000, after a 10 percent administrative fee to the Bluegrass Area Development District – for economic development efforts. Rock, who grew up in Woodford County, said the company’s move from Lexington to the old Mitchell Farm near Midway Station has been a long process, but he appreciated the efforts of all involved. He said the operation will be a long-term opportunity to bring dollars back to Midway and benefit Woodford County Public Schools. The old mansion on the property will include a tasting room and a soft opening should take place sometime this fall, Witt said. Franzini thanked Witt for all his “gentle prodding” during the block grant process, which began in 2020 and also needed the approval of the Midway City Council. Midway Station Witt said the commitment letter for refinancing the remaining debt at Midway Station and appraisal of the remaining properties for sale there approved at the EDA’s special July 8 meeting were in place. The previous day, the 30-day comment period for the rezoning of the land from B-5 (highway commercial) to I-1 (light industrial) expired, he said. The pending sales contracts are contingent on the zone change. Chair Michael Michalisin said Vescio Sports Fields, which intends to purchase Lot 17, requested the due diligence date on the sale be extended to Sept. 30 and a motion to do that passed unanimously. At the EDA’s July 8 meeting, the group unanimously approved spending up to $500 for an effort to remove easements and revise the plat and survey on the lot. Versailles Industrial Park Witt said the City of Versailles had recently closed on its $2.5 million purchase of 119 acres of the Edgewood Farm property behind Kroger for a new industrial park. The project will be eligible for a portion of the $100 million approved by the General Assembly for its Product Development Initiative program. EDA member Courtney Roberts asked whether the funds will be available as a flat amount for each community. Witt said the money will be allocated per capita, with Woodford County eligible for a maximum of $670,000 on a 50-50 match basis. Pattie Wilson Outgoing Planning Director Pattie Wilson took part in her last scheduled EDA meeting and was praised by several people. Witt told her, “You’re as good as it gets.” Former longtime EDA Chair John Soper, who now works for SVN, the real estate marketing firm hired by the EDA to sell land at Midway Station, said, “Pattie moved at the speed of business.” Soper said she was key in the efforts to attract American Howa Kentucky, Lakeshore Learning Materials and More Than A Bakery. “What an honor to work with you and learn from you,” Michalisin said, then suggested the portion of the meeting when Wilson usually speaks could be renamed the “Pattie Wilson Public Comment Period.” EDA member Alex Riddle said Wilson was a huge resource with his personal projects and Rock said when he walked into her office, he didn’t know much about what he’d have to do. Wilson “really led us in the right direction,” Rock said. Wilson thanked them for their comments and said it was good to see Midway Station wrapping up. “It’s been a pleasure,” she said of her nearly 29 years as planning director.
EDA: Bluegrass Distillers update, Wilson honored
