By Andy McDonald
Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley delivered his annual State of the City address Monday at the Russel Acton Folk Center, telling citizens that Berea is in a strong financial position and is poised for economic growth.
Fraley said Berea’s recent success is due to a number of factors, including conservative financial management, aggressively seeking opportunities for grants, and working with federal and state representatives, other local governments, businesses, non-profits and educational institutions.
The mayor stated the city ended the 2023-2024 fiscal year having spent $1.75 million less than was budgeted. That was accomplished while lowering the city’s ad valorem property tax rate for the fourth year in the row. Another $3.7 million was set aside for the city’s so-called rainy-day fund, a savings account that would allow the Berea government to function in the wake of a disaster or major plant closing. Meanwhile, $3.4 million was saved for the Capital Sinking Fund, a pool of money that enables the city to make major purchases, such as a snow plow or fire truck.
Fraley credited City Administrator Rose Beverly, department heads, council members and staff for sound management of the city’s money, but he said another key to Berea’s future financial success is creating new jobs.
“That’s important, because being in a strong financial position is needed to deliver world class service to our citizens, and that’s what I want us to do. I don’t want to see just adequate service to the people. I want to see world class service, and I think our departments and our city administrator are committed to doing that,” Fraley said.
Fraley highlighted the various ways the city is pursuing economic growth, including:
- Entering into an economic development partnership with the Madison County Fiscal Court, Scott County Fiscal Court, and Lexington Fayette Urban County Government to form the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority, a project that could bring 700 or more industrial jobs to Berea;
- Winning approval for a 21-acre, rail service-ready industrial site between Novelis and Kentucky Steel;
- Creating tourism resources that can be enjoyed by both local citizens and visitors, including the Silver Creek Bike Park, Chestnut Street Pavilion, and the Berea Gallery and Events Center (formerly known as the Tolle Building).
- Developing strategies to make homes more affordable for families, including revising the city’s code restrictions to encourage development.
Fraley said companies have chosen to expand operations in Berea, bringing 187 new jobs to Hitachi Astemo Americas, along with Hyster-Yale, a global company that has selected Berea to build its factory of the future. Additionally, EQI, a company that supplies Hyster-Yale, is planning on doubling the size of its facility in the Menelaus Industrial Park. Fraley said other companies are taking note.
“We’re now getting a lot of inquiries from smaller suppliers that want to come to Berea to be closer to Hyster-Yale. We think that creates a really good opportunity for growth and jobs for industry in Berea and in the county. Even in surrounding counties, there’s a lot of economic development activity around us. We want to grow here, but we want to see our friends and neighbors grow and thrive as well,” Fraley said.
Fraley stated Berea has had an especially good year when it comes to landing intergovernmental grants for community projects, something he said is due to the good relationships the city has established with state and federal officials, as well as a willingness to cooperate with other local governments, including Madison County and Richmond.
Berea has been recommended for two community funding projects, including $5.5 million in federal money to resurface parts of the Menelaus Industrial Park, and another $1 million in federal money for the Kenway extension that would connect Roselawn and Dixie Park subdivisions to the Berea Bypass. Both of those projects will be part of the upcoming federal budget under consideration early next year. Fraley credited the work of staffers in Congressman Andy Barr’s office, including Chris Shockley, who attended Monday’s address.
Through the advocacy of State Senator Jared Carpenter and State Representative Joshua Bray, Berea received $1 million for the Kenway project, while another $1.5 million in state money is going to the Brushy Fork Sanitary Sewer Project and the KY 595 Pump Station Rehabilitation Project. Most recently, the city announced it had also landed $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Farristown Heritage and Community Center, honoring a historic African American community.
“That’s your city government, not just me, but Rose, the department heads, boards and commissions, everybody working hard to secure funding that saves taxpayer dollars,” Fraley said. “That grant funding is going to go somewhere. If it doesn’t go to the City of Berea, it will go to another city. We have to get out and advocate for our town to make sure some of these funds come here, and we’ve been very successful at that. We want to continue to have an active presence in Frankfort, and interact with our state legislators. That’s something I’ve been committed to from the beginning. I’ll continue to do that. There won’t be a day as long as I’m around where they say ‘We never see anybody from Berea in Frankfort.’ I’m going to be there. I’m going to be talking to them, advocating for you and advocating for our business community and for our town,” he added.
Fraley said the key to landing that funding has been for Berea officials to remain engaged, reminding state and federal officials of Berea’s needs. But he also thanked Madison County officials in attendance Monday, including Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor, as well as magistrates Brian Combs and Tom Botkin. Fraley also thanked outgoing council members Jim Davis and David Rowlette for their advocacy and work, along with Steve Davis and John Payne, who will be formally joining the council on December 30.
Fraley concluded: “As we move into 2025, we are moving forward from a position of strength. While our future will always present challenges, we are up to the task. I believe with all my heart that we will work together as a team of Bereans to meet those challenges and continue our path toward a bright future for our city, our home.”
