WEST POINT, Ky. — Hardin County officials held their first community town hall meeting Tuesday amid concerns of expansion spurred by the BlueOval SK Batte.

During the community town hall, a handful of people voiced their concerns, specifically about a new state highway project affecting Glendale residents.

What You Need To Know

  • Hardin County officials held their first community town hall meeting Tuesday

  • It comes as construction on the BlueOval SK Battery Park continues on schedule 

  • During the community town hall, a handful of people voiced their concerns, specifically about a new state highway project affecting Glendale residents

  • Eight houses would be affected by the highway expansion

Greg Shipley lives in Glendale and attended the meeting at West Point. This week, he learned about an impact study conducted by the state’s transportation department.

“This study has a plan where it’s going to come through and skirt right next to downtown Glendale, and it’s going to take several homes,” Shipley said.

His house would be one of the eight affected.

“Glendale is a very unique little town. It’s got a lot of charm to it and it’s thriving,” Shipley said. “And in the way I feel about America today is that we’re losing too many of our small towns in our rural areas. It’s part of our history, part of our culture and we’re losing it, and I’m hoping we can do something to stop it from coming right through Glendale.”

Fred Clem, District 4 magistrate, explained that the town hall forum is a way to have community conversations.

“Since the BlueOval (SK Battery Plant) was announced, the state highway department has kept the community monthly and bi-monthly informed of different roads that are being proposed. This came up and I think in a meeting last week in Glendale to a focus group, and that was strictly the state highway department informing them of a proposal that they’re considering,” Clem said.

While the proposal’s still under consideration, Clem said he’s here to listen.

“I think the biggest concern is eight homes that are involved in this decision. They’ve been there for a long time. And those folks are understandably upset that their homes may be considered for removal or their property being intersected by this,” Clem said.

The magistrate said these town halls will occur each quarter on the last Tuesday of each month.