The Hopkinsville City Council was presented with an annual report from the Hopkinsville Electric System, a loan opportunity for businesses that were affected by the tornado in December and an update on the repairs at Bluegrass Splash at Tuesday’s meeting.
After Winter Storm Elliot resulted in rolling blackouts in 2022, HES President and CEO, Jeff Hurd says though there was more inclement weather in 2023, but the power supply to Hopkinsville was not largely impacted.
Hurd also shared updates regarding their power provider, the Tennessee Valley Authority. Hurd says the TVA is focused on reliability and is working toward establishing small nuclear reactors as power demands increase due to population migration and industries moving to the area.
Moving into 2024, Hurd says they are working on replacing faulty street lights that glow blue or purple across Hopkinsville.
After a tornado on December 9 caused damage to parts of middle Tennessee and western Kentucky, the U.S. Small Business Association has offered businesses and nonprofits affected by the tornado economic injury disaster loans. The loan program can apply to places that have been physically or economically affected by the tornado.
Though the tornado, was over a month ago, Timothy Watson from the association says people can still receive loans even if they have already made repairs if they have documentation or receipts of the work completed.
Those in need of loan assistance can apply at sba.gov, the deadline for physical damage loans is February 12 and the deadline for economic injury loans is September 13.
Bluegrass Splash closed early for the season in August 2023 because of leaks and repairs that needed attention. Public Works Director, Mike Perry says the total amount required for all of the repairs needed at the park totals to around $103,000.
The repairs needed includes, sealing a pipe leak, sealing slide cracks, bracing pump house pipes and replacing slide pumps. Perry requested $125,000 from the council in case they run into any additional repairs that were not initially noted.
Perry says the repairs are time sensitive, because they are planning to reopen in the summer. The council will vote on amending their budget to compensate for the repair costs at a future meeting.