By WILL PERKINS
Glasgow News 1
With $20 million in funding earmarked for a new agriculture expo center in Barren County, members of the Cave City Tourist and Convention Commission recently talked about how this project would benefit the area. Since the new expo center is planned to be connected to the Cave Area Conference Center, commissioners said its close proximity to the interstate, lodging and restaurants would make it a premier venue in the region.
Commissioner Sammye Jo Estes said while the center will focus on agriculture, the venue will also be used for other events and attractions.
“We’ve said numerous times that the opportunities that this will bring, … is gonna be huge [for] our 4-H-ers and our FFA-ers, [and for] cattle sales and the ag community. It’s multifaceted,” Estes said. “There’s so many different things that this will bring to our area to attract all different crowds, not just one. … It’s much needed.”
Cave City Mayor Dwayne Hatcher said this addition to the area would also create local employment opportunities.
“We’re probably talking about creating 40 or 50 jobs,” Hatcher said, adding that while some of those may be part-time or seasonal, they would still benefit the area.
Estes said “it takes a crew” to run a venue like this.
“If you’re moving out shavings. If you’re moving out dirt. If you’re moving that into storage. You’re moving back to prep for another event. All those things,” Estes said. “I mean, that’s a crew.”
Tourism Director Jennifer McNett said the center would be versatile.
“It’s also a multi-use floor,” she said. “So we get to have concerts and rodeos and demolition derbies.”
Hatcher said he has already heard from touring companies like Lone Star Rodeo about getting their events booked at the venue.
Estes and McNett said they think this project is still a couple years out and a little more funding is needed. But they, along with Hatcher, said they are very optimistic about it happening because of this $20 million jumpstart in funding.
Key Facts
• $20 million in funding is earmarked for a new agriculture expo center in Barren County.
• The facility is planned to connect to the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City.
• Officials say the site’s proximity to the interstate, hotels and restaurants is a key advantage.
• Cave City Tourist and Convention Commission members expect the center to host youth ag groups, cattle sales and other events.
