I’ve often said that Frankfort is transforming, and 2025 demonstrated what that looks like in real terms. This was a year defined by meaningful economic development progress across multiple fronts. From major job announcements and strategic infill projects to regional partnerships and long-term planning, Frankfort continued to build momentum and strengthen its position for the future.
While the year included real challenges, including a significant flooding event in April, our work did not stop. The City remained focused on executing its plans and moving Frankfort forward.
Major Job Announcements and Smart Growth
This year, the city and county announced 70 new jobs with UniUni, 35 new jobs with Meridian Biotech, and more than 200 jobs at Nitto in our industrial park. Together, these announcements represent hundreds of new employment opportunities and significant private investment in our community.
What matters most is how this development is happening. Both UniUni and Meridian are repurposing existing buildings within the city limits, putting underutilized assets back to work and strengthening our tax base without unnecessary sprawl. This approach reflects my vision for economic development in Frankfort: prioritizing adaptive reuse and infill that fits the character and capacity of our community.
Planning for Long-Term Success
I firmly believe that real progress starts with a plan. This year, we unveiled and formally adopted a comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan developed by Jay Garner and Associates. The plan provides a clear roadmap for attracting new employers, supporting existing businesses, preparing sites, investing in workforce development, and aligning land use with long-term goals. This plan required a significant investment of resources, was the first of its kind in recent memory, and showed what is possible when the City and County work together toward a common goal.
Just as importantly, the plan provides a clear set of recommendations and an action framework for implementation. Some steps will be more challenging than others, but the work is now clearly defined. In several respects, the plan was an eye-opener, candidly identifying areas where we need to improve. That honesty can be challenging to hear, but it is necessary to look in the mirror if we want to improve.
Working Regionally to Strengthen Frankfort
This year, we expanded our economic development efforts toward regional cooperation. By working collaboratively with neighboring communities, we are positioning Frankfort to be a reliable partner and steady anchor within the broader regional economy.
We made meaningful progress on the Franklin Anderson Industrial Authority, a partnership with Franklin County, Anderson County, and the City of Lawrenceburg. Through this collaboration, we are better positioned to pursue larger opportunities to support our region.
We also completed an agreement with Woodford County to extend sewer service into the Millville area. This vital infrastructure improvement supports responsible development and strengthens the region’s long-term capacity.
Taken together, these partnerships reinforce Frankfort’s role as the hub within the region, uniquely positioned between the state’s two most significant metropolitan areas.
Modernizing City Operations
Alongside our economic progress, the City continued to modernize how we operate and how we manage taxpayer dollars.
One example of this work was identifying approximately $2.7 million in workers’ compensation and health insurance accounts that exceeded what was needed to cover expected costs. Those funds can now be used to support capital improvements and strengthen the City’s financial safety net.
At the same time, the City continues to maintain reserves that exceed our rainy day fund requirement. This careful approach allows us to respond to emergencies, manage uncertainty, and plan confidently for the future.
Because of this firm financial footing and years of planning, the City is well-positioned in 2026 to make significant investments in our parks, the new meeting and event center, and potentially a new aquatic and wellness center. These projects will enhance the quality of life and support continued economic activity.
A New Identity to Match Our Progress
Early in my first term, I recognized that Frankfort’s economic development model needed to change. By making strategic board appointments and consistently pushing for reform, we made meaningful progress in 2025 toward transforming how Frankfort does business.
We ended the year by transitioning our economic development organization from KCDC to Develop Frankfort. This change reflects the evolution of economic development in our city and more accurately captures the organization’s role in business recruitment, retention, redevelopment, and long-term planning. Develop Frankfort better communicates who we are and what we do.
Looking ahead, my goal is for the organization to expand its focus beyond solely recruiting industrial employers and place greater emphasis on revitalizing the core of our community. Manufacturing will always remain important to Frankfort, but we must also build from the bottom up by supporting redevelopment of underperforming commercial areas, small businesses, housing, and neighborhood-level investment. I will make every effort to advance that work in 2026.
Looking Ahead
This year showed that Frankfort’s transformation is fundamental and underway, and the best part is that we are just getting started. Perhaps most importantly, Frankfort continues to build credibility by following through. Plans are being adopted, partnerships formalized, and projects moving from concept to reality.
In 2026, we expect the opening of the new Target Supercenter and the new South Frankfort Fire Station, the groundbreaking of the latest meeting and event center, and to take significant steps toward building the new aquatic and wellness center.
I am grateful to our city staff, first responders, volunteers, economic development partners, our City Commission, and our county, state, and federal partners for their commitment to Frankfort’s future. And, of course, I am grateful to YOU for your trust and confidence. While this is a good time to reflect, I am ready to get to work in 2026 and continue our progress.
Happy New Year!
