By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The Barren County Economic Authority board of directors held their monthly meeting to discuss, among other things, financial matters, the renewal of their three-year management and administrative agreement with Barren Inc, the chamber of commerce and went into a lengthy closed session for proposal discussions.
In late 2021 the authority and the chamber of commerce announced they intended to merged into one entity while maintaining individual board of directors so as to cut down on potential duplicated services. However, both the chamber and the authority utilizes many of the same things, such as office space and personnel, and therefore entered into this agreement to help clarify which entity is responsible for what thing.
That agreement was renewed for another three year at the mid morning meeting with a unanimous vote.
Specifically, the agreement states that the chamber will “provide management, financial and administrative services, and operational oversight to [the authority].” It further states that the president/CEO of the authority — who is currently Maureen Carpenter — will also be in that position with the chamber.
It also states the authority will pay the chamber $18,863.23 monthly. Carpenter said the agreement renewal would go before the chamber board by Thursday.
Another item featured in the authority’s package that was not publicly discussed was the two “won” projects. According to the packet, and later explained by Carpenter, the two projects have a combined investment of $7.5 million and will add roughly 23 jobs. Carpenter explained this is investments into existing businesses.
Specifically, Project Lumber 24, which is Dickerson Lumber Company, has invested $2.5 million and Project Pharma Three, which represents Amneal Pharmaceuticals, is investing $5 million.
The board also went into a “longer than usual” closed session for discussion of specific proposals as allowed in Kentucky Revised Statute 61.810.
The next authority board meeting is Dec. 13.
