HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Construction of a new road in Hopkinsville’s South Park development will cost the city and county a total of $500,000. The City of Hopkinsville will each pay $250,000 to fund the road.

A municipal order was added to the agenda at the end of the Hopkinsville City Council meeting on May 7 stating, “Hopkinsville City Council hereby designates and authorizes up to $250,000 of Economic Development Funds be used as a contribution to the Hopkinsville Industrial Foundation for the construction of a road in South Park.”

At the request of Councilmember Chuck Crabtree, Mayor Knight provided more context for this municipal order, saying the road is necessary to maintain a relationship between the Toyota Boshoku development and Altria facility in the South Park.

He hopes to move forward with the project with full transparency, adding that they are trying to save face with Toyota and Altria. Knight told the council that initial discussion about the road occurred a year and a half ago, and at the time it was deemed unnecessary.

After a short discussion, the council moved to a closed session due to possible litigation, reopening the session about 10 minutes later to vote. The municipal order passed, even with Councilmember Matthew Handy and Councilmember Natasha Francis abstaining, and Councilmember Chuck Crabtree voting against.

Toyota Boshoku development

Construction on the 327,000-square-foot Toyota Boshoku factory began in June 2023, occupying 48 acres, according to a previous news release from Toyota. They will produce seat frame mechanism parts, creating 157 jobs.

The factory will sit in the South Park Development that is also home to several other similar businesses. Toyota’s news release went on to say the company invested $225 million in the development which will be the company’s first ever “smart plant” location.

“Christian County government is always honored to work with world class companies like Toyota Boshoku America,” said Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam in a previous statement, “We have been impressed with company leadership since our initial introductions. TBA is the region’s 12th Japanese investment. We are looking forward to supporting their success and ensuring it won’t be the last.”

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