HOPKINSVILLE, KY (2/1/12) – Christian County Chamber President/CEO Carter Hendricks addressed members of the Hopkinsville Rotary Club on Tuesday. Hendricks looked back at 2011 and ahead to what he called “2012: The Year of Recovery.”
Hendricks said that chamber membership is up for the year. He also commented on who makes up the chamber. Small businesses with 20 or fewer employees comprise 75% of the membership. When addressing where these members are located, Hendricks says 70% are in Hopkinsville. He also pointed to the significance of the Cadiz business community. Of the non-Hopkinsville members, 50% are located in Cadiz.
Hendricks said that recent Gift Certificate program went well. The program brought in approximately $125,000 worth of sales. He says that money will be spent among the 90 businesses that are signed up to take the gift certificates and ensures the money stays local. Hendricks also reports that the focus on regionalism is working to expose chamber members to a broader customer base.
Looking ahead to 2012, Hendricks pointed to several national and local trends that show the economy is improving. He listed factors such as the falling unemployment rate, the increase in private-sector jobs and an increase in consumer confidence as positive indicators.
Locally, Hendricks said capital investments from expansions were more than $43 million in 2011. He cited the unemployment rate of 8.9% in Christian County as the lowest since November 2008. The City of Hopkinsville in 2011 took in just over $35 million more in payroll dollars than in 2010 according to Hendricks.
Finally, Hendricks took time to discuss the improvement with the Christian County Public School system. He reports the system is the 3rd fastest improving school system in the state. He says that 80% of the schools are closing the achievement gap and that more students are taking and passing the AP test.
He concluded his remarks by encouraging those in attendance to call 1-800-372-7181 in support of the Hopkinsville Community College Allied Health Building. He said it is important to let the Governor and members of the General Assembly know that this project is important to the citizens of the Southern Pennyrile Region.
David Bryant
SurfKY News
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