Sept. 20, 2011 —
A 1.8-mile road now connects this region to the global economy, according to officials who gathered Friday to celebrate the opening of the new airport road.
“This is true economic development,” said Rodney Hitch, executive director of the Morehead Rowan County Economic Development Council (EDC).
“Sometimes we don’t appreciate how a new road opens up the avenues for business. This road at the aviation and industrial parks is crucial to economic development in our region,” Hitch said.
The first of two ceremonies was held at the National Guard Armory on KY 801 near the entrance of the new airport road.
U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, State Transportation Secretary Michael W. Hancock, and State Aviation Commissioner R. Winn Turner joined State Sen. Walter Blevins and State Reps. Rocky Adkins and John Will Stacy and local officials for a ribbon cutting to signal the opening of the new road.
They then drove on it to a dedication of the new terminal and community hangar at the Morehead-Rowan County Clyde A. Thomas Regional Airport.
In opening remarks, Hitch recalled a story in which Rep. Rogers came to appreciate the need for a paved road from the regional airport.
“We were lobbying Congressman Rogers for money for a new road and he flew into the airport here,” Hitch said. “By the time we bumped and jarred along the gravel road he looked at us and said ‘you need a road.’”
Rogers commended those who brought the road to fruition.
“Someone once told me that a vision without funding is an hallucination,” Rogers said. “This community has great vision about where you want to go and you know how to get there.”
He told those assembled for the dedication of the airport road and the airport facilities that the region is now more attractive for commerce.
“You now have the capabilities that the business community needs to get to you quickly, and in the way that it now travels,” Rogers said.
Morehead Mayor David Perkins offered a measure of the value of the new road.
“The ultimate test of this new roadway is to invite President Clinton back and see if his ride is better this time,” Perkins said in reference to a 2008 visit by the former president. Clinton flew into the regional airport and complained about traveling the old, bumpy roadway.
The airport road was built at a cost of $1.5 million in federal and state funds. A second phase of the project will connect the road with Ramey Ridge Road.
Noelle Hunter can be reached at nhunter@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
Local News
Related Photos
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U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, seated right, talks with State Rep. Rocky Adkins while State Rep. John Will Stacy and EDC Executive Director Rodney Hitch discuss the agenda for Friday’s airport road dedication. Photo by Noelle Hunter
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The new, two-lane road begins at KY 801 at the Armory and extends 1.8 miles across the business park property to connect with Kissick Road and on to the airport. Photo by Noelle Hunter
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