With Ascend Elements set to be the first industry to locate in Hopkinsville’s Commerce Park #2, it makes the effort to make improvements to KY 115 even more pressing.
South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council Executive Director Carter Hendricks appeared on WHOP Friday and says Ascend is expected to bring 250 new jobs with its $310 million investment and they’re hoping to be operational sometime in 2024.
That new industry that produces sustainable battery materials made from recycled lithium-ion batteries will put additional tractor-trailer traffic on KY 115 from I-24. Hendricks says that means it’s more pressing to get the industrial connector from the park to 115 constructed and to get 115 widened in the area of the interchange.
Widening and other improvements are also needed near the KY 115- I-24 interchange to facilitate additional traffic that will be created by Buc-ee’s as they have announced plans to bring one of their supersized convenience stores to a location just north of the interstate in 2024. That facility is expected to see approximately 23,000 vehicles enter its parking lot on an average day.