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Farmer-Owned Cooperative Awarded Funds

Agricultural Development Board Invests $219,000 in Christian County

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved the Hopkinsville Elevator Co. Inc. (HEC) for $164,000 in county and $55,000 in state Agricultural Development Funds to purchase a grain cleaning system.  County funds were contributed by the following counties:  Allen ($5,000); Barren ($25,000); Butler ($5,000); Caldwell ($5,000); Christian ($35,000); Edmonson ($2,000); Hopkins ($2,000); Logan ($25,000); Muhlenberg ($5,000); Todd ($35,000); Trigg ($10,000) and Warren ($5,000).

“I am committed to creating opportunities that will make Kentucky ’s agricultural community stronger,” said Gov. Beshear.  “Projects such as this one funded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board with multi-county support play an integral role in achieving this goal.”

The new, more efficient grain cleaning system will allow the elevator to increase its customer base to include pet nutrition and wine/spirit industries.  The new system will be installed in HEC’s South Union facility.  Profits realized through this increase in service will benefit the members of this farmer-owned cooperative.

“This is a great investment in economic development in our community. This is exactly how the Ag Development funds were intended to be spent – to help develop specialty markets,” said Sen. Joey Pendleton, of Hopkinsville .  “Gov. Beshear shows his continued leadership in working to improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians as well as attempting to spur economic development.”

“The Hopkinsville Elevator Company plays a vital role for grain farmers and agriculture in general throughout the region.  I’m certainly pleased to see Christian and the surrounding counties work with the state to make this project possible,” said Rep. Tilley, of Hopkinsville .  “It will be benefit more than 1,400 grain producers in 10 counties, and will allow the company to expand existing business opportunities in a variety of ways.”

“We are continuing to strive for agricultural diversification across the Commonwealth. The Agricultural Development Fund has played a major role in helping Kentucky conquer this feat,” said Rep. Myron Dossett, of Pembroke.  “These funds have benefited numerous individuals and are continuing to do so in Christian County .”

For more information about this project, contact Ben Westerfield at (800) 488-5191 or [email protected].

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