1. 1314 Anneta Road
2. 2384 Anneta Road
3. 717 Brandenburg Road
4. 719 Brandenburg Road
5. 721 Brandenburg Road
6. 801 Brandenburg Road
7. 220 Commerce Drive
8. 115 East Main Street
9. 1309 Elizabethtown Road
10. 1613 Elizabethtown Road
11. 1771 Elizabethtown Road
12. 611 Lilac Road
13. 2814 Lilac Road
14. 806 Mill Street
15. 104 North Main Street
16. 106 North Main Street
17. 25 Public Square
18. 51 Public Square
19. 52 Public Square
20. 55 Public Square
21. 68 Public Square
22. 70 Public Square
23. 82 Public Square
24. 84 Pulbic Square
25. 90 Public Square
26. 507 Salt River Road #C
27. 116 Sequoia Dr. #12
28. 116 Sequoia Dr. #16
29. 116 Sequoia Dr. #18
30. 118 South Claggett Dr.
31. 207 South English St.
32. 120 South Heyser Dr.
33. 334 South Main St.
34. 336 South Main St.
35. 607 South Main St.
36. 635 South Main St.
37. 637 South Main St.
38. 639 South Main St.
39. 725 South Main St.
40. 806 South Main St.
41. 102 West Main St.
42. 106 West Main St.
43. 108 West Main St.
44. 116 West Main St.
45. 529 West Main St.
46. 206 West White Oak St.
47. 402 West White Oak St.
48. 805 West White Oak St.
49. 811 West White Oak St.
They all once housed thriving businesses, but now stand empty.
This list is just in Leitchfield and does not include empty factories in town.
If Clarkson, Caneyville and the rest of the county were included, I am sure the list would be much larger.
In looking over the list, one can see a few buildings that emptied because the former tenant moved elsewhere, or that the building has fallen into disrepair, but for the most part, they just simply went “out of business”.
Some want to blame high gas prices or our nation’s current economic slowdown; but our area decline started long before that.
This is 50 businesses that are not buying ads in this newspaper, or ads on the local radio station, paying taxes or supporting the local schools.
How many jobs/families did these businesses use to support?? I bet the number would surprise most, just as this list, when put on paper is startling.
I am not pointing my finger at anyone or particular group; but as a local businessman who makes his living on the “good fortune” of his fellow citizens, I am concerned about the state of our local economy.
The decision of local officials to hire an industrial recruiter is a good “first” step, but more can and needs to be done.
I am sponsoring a Chamber of Commerce Breakfast in July. The guest speaker will be Ken Robinson with the Cabinet of Economic Development.
Mr. Robinson is a former Industrial Recruiter and is an expert in small business and economic development matters.
Hopefully he can provide some insight on reversing this trend.
We have so many assets in this county; Nolin and Rough River lakes, the Western Kentucky Parkway, railroad, a state of the art hospital and medical staff representing numerous specialities, school system, utilities/highway infrastructure and an outstanding workforce.
Those assets need to be utilized to their maximum potential.
Again, I am not placing blame or pointing fingers, but more can and should be done.
Anybody else feel the same??
Keith G. Bratcher • Leitchfield
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