By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
At its second meeting this month, the Glasgow City Council finalized the lease for the new farmers’ market building, which opened its doors earlier this month. The facility has been a focus of the city for around a year following the project’s groundbreaking in March 2025. The building has a West Water Street address but is located next to the U.S. Postal Office on West Main Street.
While the city owns the property, the council voted to lease the lot to Sustainable Glasgow Inc., a nearly two-decade-old nonprofit dedicated to promoting local agriculture, community access to fresh food and strengthening the local economy through community-based development.
Founded in 2008, Sustainable Glasgow is best known as the organization behind the Bounty of the Barrens Farmers’ Market, which began the same year with only a handful of vendors and has since grown into a producer-only market. The group has also supported programs like Kentucky Double Dollars and community events aimed at expanding food access and supporting small producers.
The lease is under a 10-year term and will cost the nonprofit $1 per year under the agreement, according to city attorney Rich Alexander.
“If Sustainable Glasgow is not using that property for their operations, the city of Glasgow retains the right to use that property for other events,” Alexander explained. “So long as Sustainable Glasgow is not using it, the city has the right to use it.”
While not listed on the agenda, director for the nonprofit, Griffin Botts, was asked by Mayor Henry Royse to update the council on the market’s opening weekend and answer any questions members may have.
“We just celebrated our opening weekend, and the farmers were so excited that we couldn’t beat them to the building,” Botts said.
“I remember the beginnings of it,” Royse answered, “and it has continued to grow through the years, sometimes there have been adjustments and changes to the group.”
Councilman Joe Trigg also noted that he, alongside several other community members, helped spearhead the nonprofit in its early days.
“It’s been a long process, and all of us are older now and have kind of fallen off to the wayside,” Trigg said. “But we’re all happy to see your success.”
As the lease was passed as a resolution, no second reading will be required.
While discussion of the lease and the market’s opening took up much of the meeting, another more somber item also drew the council’s attention.
As part of a joint city-county proclamation, April was recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley-Byrd joined Royse at the podium to sign the proclamation.
Alongside the pair were representatives from Hope Harbor, a counseling center for victims of sexual assault. Hope Harbor Director Melissa Whitley was invited to speak following the signing.
“The importance of awareness and prevention programs is very important,” she said. “Of course, my staff are on the front lines working with survivors and victims every day, so we appreciate your time and the recognition.”
Whitley’s address was met with an ovation from the council and assembly.
Royse acknowledged that law enforcement undergoes training to recognize and respond to assaults. He also said that Hope Harbor reported more than 1,000 counseling sessions in 2025.
The next regular meeting of the Glasgow City Council is scheduled for May 11 at 6 p.m.
Key facts:
– Glasgow City Council finalized a lease for the new farmers market building on West Main Street
– The city will lease the site to Sustainable Glasgow Inc. for 10 years at $1 per year
– The city retains the right to use the property when the nonprofit is not using it
– Sustainable Glasgow, founded in 2008, operates the Bounty of the Barrens Farmers Market
– The new market’s opening weekend drew strong enthusiasm from local farmers
– The council joined Barren County in proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
– Hope Harbor representatives attended, with Director Melissa Whitley addressing the council
– Whitley said Hope Harbor staff are on the front lines with survivors and victims
– The next regular Glasgow City Council meeting is scheduled for May 11 at 6 p.m.
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