The Kentucky Mainstreet program has generated over $4.5 billion in investment throughout the Commonwealth. Officials say one of the small towns thriving under this program is Morehead with a reported net gain of nine new businesses and 156 new jobs in 2024.
Tony Pence, Morehead’s Mainstreet Director, said the secret to growth is investing in what’s already here.
“We got the Sawstone Brewing Company, which is a manufacturer of local craft beers, Fat Patty’s, got Tres Hermanos, several new boutiques and that sort of thing that are here now, and ice cream shop next door, all in refurbished buildings,” said Pence.
Morehead reported a $3.5 million cumulative investment in its downtown district in 2024. Pence credited a lot of that success to the city’s investment in refurbished buildings as well as the center point of downtown.
“Last year we accounted for about, just the events downtown Morehead did, a little over 8,000 people visited Battson-Oates Commons, that’s what we call this. And that’s what really matters to these businesses around here,” said Pence.
The location has a large array of seating, tables, a shade feature, and a mobile stage the city uses to host concerts. This growth in downtown has been seen across the Commonwealth with a cumulative investment in downtown commercial districts reaching well over $63 million.
Along with Morehead, Murray, Shelby, and Beattyville also showed significant growth in their downtowns.
Downtown Morehead Incorporated is an underwriting partner of Morehead State Public Radio.