PADUCAH — While driving through Paducah and McCracken County over the past few months, residents may have noticed the various commercial construction projects popping up or already in progress.
The city of Paducah issued more than nine commercial business permits for new construction between March and July, signifying growing business and economic development for the city and county.
Current projects happening in the area include a new apartment complex across from Atomic City at 3730 Hinkleville Road.
Current projects happening in the area include a new apartment complex across from Atomic City at 3730 Hinkleville Road, a FiveStar gas station coming to 2310 Lone Oak Road, Southern Tire Mart at 4160 Olivet Church Road, and a large warehouse being built at 5501 Commerce Drive.
Blake Ainsworth, owner of Ainsworth Land Development, works on the future site of Southern Tire Mart as a subcontractor. He said the current construction projects happening in the community are helping local contractors.
Blake Ainsworth, owner of Ainsworth Land Development, is currently working on the future site of Southern Tire Mart as a subcontractor.
“It provides jobs for my guys, obviously, other subcontractors, concrete guys, building erectors. It’s great for the community,” Ainsworth said.
He said that he has noticed a rise in the number of commercial businesses coming to Paducah and the surrounding area.
“It’s been a great year. Been blessed with plenty of work, lot of things still coming out for bid in the area, in this whole Jackson Purchase area. We haven’t seen a slowdown yet,” Ainsworth explained.
Ainsworth said the projects happening in the city directly benefit its residents.
“A local community likes to see local contractors being used. So, the money’s going back into the community,” he said.
Ainsworth said new commercial businesses like the Southern Tire Mart will employ local contractors.
Construction workers and contractors are not the only people benefitting from the new job opportunities. The commercial businesses popping up in the city and county will create more retail jobs.
The new FiveStar coming to Lone Oak Road will not only employ more Paducah residents, but create a competitive environment for existing gas stations in the area.
A new FiveStar gas station is coming to 2310 Lone Oak Road.
“One of the things I like to say is competition makes the world go round, and I think that competition makes all of us better,” Paducah Mayor George Bray said. “I think that those two convenience stores slash gas stations … they’re going to compete on selection and the way they come across to travelers.”
Projects like the warehouse on Commerce Drive will create long-term roles with sustainable salaries.
“Living-wage jobs is what I like to call them,” Bray said. “Jobs that, you know, can sustain a family. You know, that’s the kind of jobs that we really need, stable jobs that will be here. I think that’s really important to us.”
He said the city has created 850 new jobs with “living-wage” incomes over the past four years.
Bray said the city and county have worked to cultivate an environment that will attract business and economic development to the area.
“I think that we’ve worked really hard the last few years to create an environment that was friendly for developers,” he said. “People see the community, and they see the opportunities in the community.”
He believes maintaining a bustling environment will attract more businesses to Paducah.
“All of that creates momentum … and I think the community has a lot of momentum going forward right now,” Bray said.
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