WQXE News

Elected officials, business leaders, and community members from across the Lincoln Trail region were on hand Thursday as the Lincoln Trail Area Development District cut the ribbon on their new office space located at 750 South Provident Way in Elizabethtown.

LTADD Executive Director Daniel London said the goal of the new office space is to allow the organization to provide better service to the eight-county region as new opportunities come to the area.

“We have an economic development tidal wave coming our way, and it’s our choice whether it’s a soft landing or a hard landing, and we are working feverishly here at the Lincoln Trail Area Development District in prioritizing and working through the projects across the district to make sure this is a soft landing,” London said.

London was joined by State Representative Brandon Reed and State Senator Matt Deneen during the ceremony to announce LTADD’s legislative priorities for 2024, which London said represent goals and initiatives meant to benefit the entire region.

“All of these priorities together are approximately $900 million across our eight counties,” London said. “That’s just the priorities. If you look at everything else that is needed, it’s about $1.2 billion.”

The priorities are broken down into four categories: transportation, regional resources/utilities, social and human capital, and treatment and public protection. London highlighted projects such as roadway improvements related to growth expected from BlueOval SK, the expansion of wastewater services in Hardin County and the expansion of gas lines into Hart and LaRue counties, and a housing study to better assess inventory and requirements, among other projects.

Senator Deneen praised the leadership of LTADD in preparing the region for success.

“Progress can be found at the crossroads of patience and planning,” Deneen said. “Nobody does it better than LTADD. They bring all of the parties together. They have a vision. They lead us in the direction for success. They give us that roadmap.”

Visit LTADD’s website for more information.

Towne Mall in Elizabethtown will be under new ownership soon.

TDA Properties, Inc. has announced it has reached an agreement to acquire the 37-year-old retail center.

According to a release from TDA, the company has plans to revitalize Towne Mall, including a “comprehensive redevelopment strategy aimed at generating a renaissance for this centerpiece location.” The company says it believes it has the vision to breathe new life into the property while also contributing to the economic growth projected to take place in the area in the coming years, and says they are committed to working closely with the community, local leadership, and stakeholders to align redevelopment efforts with regional needs.

TDA Properties President Tim Aulbach said in the release: “Our goal for this acquisition is to create a ‘win-win’ situation for the entire region and particularly the Elizabethtown community, just as we’ve been able to accomplish with numerous other developments across Kentucky.”

Aulbach declined further comment until after the deal to acquire the property is officially closed, which he said should be by the end of the month. The release from TDA Properties says the company will share additional details about its plans following the holiday season.

State highway crews will be doing inspection work along Poplar Street beginning Monday.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says a set of highway safety improvement projects throughout Elizabethtown will conclude this month with intersection work along West Poplar Street at Sycamore Street and North Mantle Avenue to improve sidewalk and crossing safety for pedestrians and provide better maneuverability for motorists. The work was scheduled to coincide with area schools going on Fall Break.

The KYTC says the original design of the project has been modified with construction to include rebuilding outside corners and sidewalk approaches. Both intersections will remain open during the project, but congestion and delays are possible. Work is expected to take about three weeks.