By Lance Gaither

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

During the Danville City Commission meeting on Sept. 25, Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Kendall Clinton delivered an update on how tourism is affecting the city’s economy.

“We always like to have data that shows that what we are doing is working and that the dollars we are spending are bringing dollars and visitors into our city and state,” Clinton said.

In 2022, the tourism industry brought 656 jobs to the county with those jobs having a combined income of more than $18 million. Tourism brought nearly $76 million into the county last year and generated $6 million in tax revenue.

“All of that exceeded the previous year,” Clinton said. “It continues to grow every year. The numbers are fantastic not only for Boyle County but statewide.”

The commission has appointed Jonathan Nicholson and Lynn Bauer to the Architectural Heritage Board. Both Bauer and Nicholson were recommended by the board for appointment. Commissioner Kevin Caudill praised their resumes during before the vote.

“These are not the mayor’s choices,” said Danville Mayor James J.H. Atkins. “These are coming from the input of the community, the commission’s input, and from the folks who are already doing these things.”

The commission has appointed Kenneth Alexander to the Danville-Boyle County Planning and Zoning Commission. Atkins said that Alexander has previous work experience in cybersecurity and traveled extensively as he experienced many different types of neighborhoods and housing situations.

“When we sat down and spoke he really impressed me with his concern the different types of housing he has been exposed to in his travels and here in Danville and Boyle County,” Atkins said. “More impressive was that he recognized there were shortages of things being available for citizens in our town.”

The city approved donating $1,000 to the upcoming Tedx Danville event. A Tedx Talk with 11 speakers will be held at Danville High School’s Gravely Hall on Oct. 27.

“$1,000 is a reasonable amount to pitch in to show that we are supporting it,” said Caudill.

“I think it is a good compromise.”

Organizer Eboney Weathers thanked the commission for providing support and said that more than 220 people have already gotten tickets for the event.

Tickets are free and more information can be found at tedxdanville.org

In other news from the meeting:

• Halloween trick-or-treating for Danville has been scheduled for Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• The commission approved providing up to $6,000 for Danville’s Christmas celebration funding.

• The commission has approved the second reading of Ordinance 2022. The ordinance allows the city to issue General Obligation Public Project Bonds. Funds from the bonds will go towards for publics works projects.

• The commission passed Resolution 2023-09-25-01. The resolution authorizes additional paving downtown. Paving will be performed by The Allen Co. with a bid price of $46,873.

• he commission passed Resolution 2023-09-25-02. The resolution rejects the bids the city has received Hilldale Cemetery community shelter project. City Engineer Josh Morgan explained that all six bids far exceed the city’s budget for the project and that the proposed location of the shelter has received community push back. The commission will explore alternative solutions in a future meeting.