In the southern part of Madison County, the economy continues to look robust as local industries are hiring, and new businesses continue to open in Berea, according to Donna Angel, city of Berea director of tourism and business development.
According to a release published by the City of Berea this week, Angel addressed the Berea City Council at Tuesday’s business meeting this week, noting that 43 businesses have opened in town since January, joining approximately 111 new businesses that have been launched since she joined the city approximately three years ago.
Angel noted progress is being made on the opening of Just Love Coffee on Chestnut Street, across from the Chestnut Street Pavilion. The chain coffee shop will open in what was the former Mario’s Pizza building. A grand opening date has not yet been announced. Additionally, two new cafes are planned for Berea, and Angel announced that a group of investors from Lexington are seeking to open a steakhouse in Berea. None of those businesses have yet been identified.
Angel listed a number of new businesses opening shop in town, including six health-related offices, a dentist, finance businesses, a baker, and she added that Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen is slated to open in November. As of Wednesday, crew members were being trained as the restaurant prepares to open for business. Berea continues to grow in it’s industrial development as well with several major projects underway.
Regarding industrial development, Angel reported that the new industrial spec building next to Farristown Middle School will likely be set to open in late October, providing an opportunity for a new company to move in. Additionally, hiring is continuing at Hitachi Astemo Electric Motor Systems, including a job fair on October 13 at the Russel Acton Folk Center on Jefferson Street. Angel Hitachi Astemo has transitioned to a four-day work week, and that they are currently seeking new staffers for the first and second shifts. At AppHarvest, meanwhile, Angel reported the company, which specializes in indoor, environmentally sustainable agriculture, has hired its staff and is moving forward with production.
In an effort to serve local employers and workers who come in from out of town, Angel said her department is working in assembling a digital information packet outlining services, businesses, and local attractions available in Berea. The information can be used to instruct prospective employers considering relocating in Berea, and it can help make an easier transition for workers who are new to the city, said Angel. Additionally, the information could prove to be a boost for locally owned businesses.
On the tourism front, Angel noted that Berea continues to gain notoriety in national publications, selected as one of three cities to be visited by an international tourism writers’ group. The other cities selected were Lexington and Paducah.
