CUMBERLAND, Ky. – The Harlan County Fiscal Court, ONE Harlan County, and the Harlan County Economic Development Authority held a groundbreaking for the first state-certified Build-Ready industrial site south of Interstate 64 and east of Interstate 75 on Monday, April 15 at the Harlan County Business Park in Cumberland.

Jared Arnett, executive director of Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR), was in attendance and participated in the event.

“The result of this Build-Ready site can be attributed to a true collaborative effort,” said Arnett. “From the Harlan County Fiscal Court, ONE Harlan County, and the Harlan County Economic Development Authority to the citizens of Harlan County, this is a remarkable accomplishment.  I want to commend all of those who worked to make this happen.  This is something everyone in Harlan County and Appalachia Kentucky should celebrate.”

The Build-Ready site aligns with SOAR’s Regional Blueprint for a 21st Century Appalachia.  One of the goals is Industrial Recruitment but having a site like this will assist other goals such as Small Business, Workforce, Healthy Communities, and Broadband.

The building site is approximately 15 acres, enough to build a 50,000 square-foot site with the potential to expand an additional 50,000 square-feet.  The entire site is 150 acres.

Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley is a member of SOAR’s Executive Board.

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WYMT is an East Kentucky and Media Partner of SOAR.