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A large crowd turned out for downtown London’s “Holiday At the Market,” which was created to encourage residents to purchase Christmas gifts from local small businesses, crafters, artists, and farmers. The city of London Tourism along with the London-Laurel County Farmer’s Market sponsored the event.
Space heaters kept the market nice and warm for shoppers as they walked along rows of bright crafts and gifts from area artists. Hot chocolate and Christmas songs from local youth gave the event a festive holiday spirit.
The London-Corbin Airport has been awarded a $809,332 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help rehabilitate the runway.
U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) made the announcement Thursday afternoon.
In July, the airport was also awarded a $1.85 million competitive grant through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The funding is part of a $5 million project to repair and upgrade nearly 6,000 feet of existing runway that has severely deteriorated, developing significant safety hazards.
“Our small airports are as essential as highways to economic development and progress in Southern and Eastern Kentucky,” said Congressman Rogers. “As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have been a long-time advocate for federal funding that boosts rural airport operations. With immediate access to I-75, the London-Corbin Airport is a hub for business development and incredible opportunities, including visits from national leaders, such as Vice President Mike Pence who landed at the airport in August. I applaud the board for diligently competing for grant opportunities necessary for repairs and upgrades at this vital regional airport.”
“We appreciate the investment of these federal funds to help us make critical repairs to our runway,” said Matthew Singer, Airport Manager. “This airport is an incredible asset for our region and we are dedicated to maintaining its value to Laurel County and the area as a whole, as we continue to grow and recruit new opportunities.”
In May, Congressman Rogers and Governor Bevin visited the London-Corbin Airport to celebrate a new Aviation Maintenance Technician Training Program in partnership with Eastern Kentucky University and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, supported by grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs.
Opening dates are getting closer for Kohl’s and the other stores in the remodeled London Marketplace.
Mayor Troy Rudder and Judge-Executive David Westerfield joined Governor Matt Bevin and other officials to announce plans to complete the final segment of KY 30 along the 37-mile corridor that stretches from KY 11 in Booneville to the Hal Rogers Parkway in London.
At the end of August, a contract will be awarded to straighten the 13.5-mile curvy corridor between US 421 in Jackson County to Travellers Rest in Owsley County, reducing the length by 3.5 miles. A shorter, straighter path means drive times will be cut in half from 21 minutes to 11 minutes. KY 30 is the most direct route from Lee, Jackson and Owsley Counties to I-75 south, businesses in London, western Kentucky and Tennessee.
The announcement was made at the Department of Highways garage on West Ky. 80 in London.
The United States Census 2020 is now taking applications for Census Takers! $14 an hour and $0.58 per mile.
The City of London hopes to receive an accurate count of our citizens in 2020 to help improve our roads, schools, emergency services, local jobs, shopping choices, as well as state representation in Congress. Help improve your local community by becoming a Census Taker!
To apply online visit 2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-JOB-2020.
The U.S. Census states that 2020 Census jobs provide great pay, flexible hours, weekly pay, and paid training.
May was a very busy month for industrial and retail development in London and Laurel County. Paula Thompson, executive director of the London-Laurel County Industrial Development authority, has provided her monthly update on all these new developments:
Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield welcomed Congressman Hal Rogers, Governor Matt Bevin, EKU President Michael Benson and ARC Co-Chair Tim Thomas to the London-Corbin Airport Monday for an announcement about a new aviation training program.
The Appalachia Aviation Maintenance Technician Training Project plans to provide training and certification to displaced coal workers, veterans and individuals from rural communities through EKU’S Aviation Program.
“This project will train 86 FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certified maintenance technicians — AMTs, during the three-year grant cycle, then sustain 32 annually,” Benson said.
For more information about the program, go to: https://www.eku.edu/flyky.
The London Laurel Co. Industrial Development Authority has announced the third store that will join Kohl’s and Planet Fitness in the former Kmart location on Ky. 192. The fourth and final store will be announced at a later date.
Five Below is a store with unlimited possibilities where tweens, teens and beyond are free to Let Go & Have Fun in a color- popping, music pumping, super-fun shopping experience where you’ll always find the coolest stuff for $5 or less. Five Below is one of the fastest-growing retail chains in the country.
Executive Director Paula Thompson gives more information on the construction progress inside the building, as well as an expected opening date for FIve Below.
Kohl’s, one of the country’s premier department stores is coming to London. With about 1,200 locations, it is the largest department store chain in the United States and will be opening its newest location in the old Kmart building.
The announcement was made Monday evening by Paula Thompson, executive director of the London-Laurel Industrial Development Authority, Judge-Executive David Westerfield and Mayor Troy Rudder.
“I began working to get Kohl’s to come to London in 2009,” Thompson said. “Our community needs a department-type store for affordable family clothing along with a wide selection.”
“We are very excited to welcome Kohl’s to our London business family,” Mayor Rudder said. “They bring with them a history of great service to their customers. Kohl’s and London will be a winning combination.”
“We are pleased Kohl’s is coming to London,” Judge Westerfield said. “This will bring much-needed clothing options for families in Laurel County and surrounding counties who come here to work and shop.”
Kohl’s will be one of four new businesses located in the former Kmart building at the London Marketplace on Ky. 192. Planet Fitness has already been announced and the remaining two businesses will be announced at a later date.
Demolition is underway inside the building, and new entrances and facades will go up soon, with an early fall opening date, Thompson said.
Kohl’s will occupy 36,408 square feet of the 94,000 square feet Kmart building and Planet Fitness will occupy 22,306 square feet.
The department store placed advertisements for a London store manager and assistant managers on Indeed.com Monday evening.
Kohl’s is headquartered in the Milwaukee suburb of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, operating stores in every U.S. state except Hawaii. Kohl’s became the largest department store chain in the United States in May 2012, surpassing its biggest competitor J.C. Penney. The company had $19 billion in revenue in 2017.
