Last weekend’s Comment Line had a pair of posts suggesting the City of Maysville get off their collective backsides and do something about bringing in new business for both downtown and top of the hill.
While I don’t make a habit of looking at Maysville’s rear end (that would be rude), I can say with more than a little confidence that not only is the City’s butt, but also every other part, working hard to present our area as the perfect place to live, play, work, and invest.
This is not a knock on the folks who made the comments. As taxpaying citizens, it is their privilege — no, their duty — to speak up regarding issues of concern as to how our area proceeds. That being said, I’ve had the honor of seeing how the sausage is made, and I can say without hesitation that everyone I’ve worked with, from the Mayor to City Commission to the City Manager to the Mason County Judge-Executive and Fiscal Court (as well as the rest of the gang) are always promoting our area to anyone willing to listen. And there is a lot about which to brag.
I could go through the monstrous list of initiatives that are in place to attract new blood and new investment to Maysville and Mason County, but I’ll just tick off a few. The city’s recent support of the Human Rights Commission extending protections so they are more inclusive of all our citizens is one example. The Green Dot program is another. These are programs that make us more economically attractive to prospective business.
The B-Line Initiative, when realized, promises to bring in tourists from all over the world to spend money at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center and Pogue Distillery, as well as our many shops and restaurants. Comprehend has started construction on a new multi-million-dollar facility, investing in an East End that is showing a renewal thanks to projects including the skate park and the reopening of IGA. Downtown buildings are being purchased at a good clip.
From Fazolis to Sprinkles of Hope, both sit-down restaurants and specialty food shops are coming to town.
The Maysville Event Center, the Limestone Center and the Cox Building offer space for weddings, conventions and more.
Our thriving arts and culture scene is the envy of larger cities. As a Work Ready Community (years in the making), we are prepared to staff business and industry when they bring their company to town.
Our new City Manager, Industrial Development Authority Director, Tourism Director, Main Street Director and Zoning and Planning Administrator have hit the ground running, continuing to not only cultivate current initiatives that help the area, but also bringing fresh ideas and insight to their positions.
Mason County Schools, Saint Patrick School, Maysville Academy and Maysville Community and Technical College ensure our citizens receive a well-rounded education. Thanks to the recent passage of the Nickel Tax for Mason County Schools, much needed upgrades are being made to ensure our education system is second to none.
Over the last year Maysville and the surrounding area have won awards from across the globe for our friendliness, livability, and business model from groups who know a good thing when they see one.
So, yeah, Maysville may not be perfect. No city is. Yet in the grander scheme of things, I think our city is working their butt off to keep us growing and succeeding. And that benefits us all.
