Judge Executive Gilliam comments on Ascend Elements setbacks, residential developments

During a State of the County Address, Judge Gilliam spoke about the need for more quality housing and updates about a new industry.

By Daynnah Carmona January 6, 2026 5:33 pm

Christian County NowJudge Executive Jerry Gilliam during State of the County Address. Jan. 6, 2026 (Daynnah Carmona)

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam gave a presentation on Jan. 6, speaking about the current state of the county along with past progress and looking toward the future. He emphasized the need for additional housing in the county, and spoke about incoming industry including an update about Ascend Elements.

Gillam first outlined some strategic goals the Christian County Fiscal Court has prioritized since 2023, which are as follows.

Maximize the county’s relationship with Fort Campbell.
Optimize local natural and manufactured resources to spur growth.
Focus on population growth and housing expansion.
Pursue financial stability living within means, avoiding new taxes where possible.
Enhance safety and security for residents including public safety, infrastructure, county buildings.

Developing more housing

In regard to new housing options, he spoke about optimizing growth by focusing on bringing in more “ranch style homes” and welcoming in more jobs that allow residents to be productive in the community. Data from the county shows that over 400 residential units were created in 2025.

“We need to try to think of ways we can outgrow poverty,” said Gilliam about creating quality housing. “This community has tried to fight or find a solution to the poverty that has existed in this community for years and years.”

He said the main obstacle with establishing more housing is finding a balance between new developments and preserving existing, profitable farmland. For possible future developments he believes they should focus on the northern end of the county, as well as building more up-scale housing in the Oak Grove area.

One of the elements that makes Christian County unique includes the fact that property tax is the main source for revenue. Unlike the City of Hopkinsville, there is no occupational tax in the county. Gilliam said this is a double-edged sword but put plainly, the more housing there is, the more property tax is generated for the county.

Ascend Elements update

When speaking about the over 1,000 jobs that were created with the establishment of industries like Kitchen Food Co. and Toyota Boshoku, Gilliam said construction on Ascend Elements pushes on, despite local controversy including a lawsuit, layoffs, and delays.

“We’ve all heard the news and the speculation about Ascend,” said Gilliam, adding that he has a walk through scheduled with the CEO in the coming weeks. He said they are on course with their commitment to Christian County, although they have made some changes to the product they are manufacturing.

In October, the U.S. Department of Energy discontinued a $316 million grant which was in part supporting the construction of the facility. With over $200 million of the grant already spent by Ascend, they experienced a loss of around $100 million in additional funding. Initial plans said that the chemical plant would be creating the chemical compound that is inside batteries (pCAM) by transforming black matter. The Apex 1 facility in the county would produce enough pCAM to equip 250,000 EVs per year.

“I’m to the point of when I see it, I’ll believe it,” he added. “I’ve defended them and then they did some layoffs so we’ll see what happens. If not, we’ve got a huge facility for sale.” As a whole, further developing Commerce Park II is on the county’s legislative agenda for this year