Gov. Matt Bevin says that in order for Kentucky to bolster economic development opportunities, more ‘shepherds’ need to come forward and take charge.
Bevin opened the first WAVE Confluence in Hickman County Monday.
The Western Kentucky Alliance for a Vibrant Economy, or WAVE, is a collaborative of economic, government and community leaders from four counties with a goal of establishing a Kentucky port on the Mississippi River.
Bevin says he's inspired that economic leaders are forming a collective vision, but says initiatives need to be started at the local level without too much reliance on higher-ups. He says the state – and country – are at a political, spiritual and educational crossroads, and that too many key figures are abdicating their responsibility upward, expecting too much of government intervention.
“Everyone assumes that someone up there will take care of it," said Bevin. "Somebody at that level will come in – and we’re increasingly becoming a bunch of sheep, and it’s to our own detriment. This nation was made great, this state was made great, this community, these counties, were forged by people who understood we need shepherds. We need shepherds in a real significant way. I’m grateful for this effort, to WAVE, for this confluence where we’re bringing people – in this room, there are many shepherds, you are here because you understand that.”
Bevin says that with the right initiative, western Kentucky can become a pilot for economic growth to demonstrate to other states.
"It will ensure that we get this I-69 corridor opened up and get the bridge over Henderson developed, it will create opportunity in this community, the likes of which you will not believe," said Bevin. "You've got the quality, you've got the work effort, you've got the mindset, you have the values. Seize those things, be bold, be leaders who are daring to dream big dreams."
After Bevin, the day's keynote speaker was Paul Jaenichen, the Obama Administration's head of the US Maritime Administration which oversees all of the nation's inland waterways and rivers. Jaenichen told the group that now is the time to begin formative planning steps, as a host of competitive grants and instruction programs are now available. But, economic leaders need to think about economic and political connections beyond the river’s edge.
“Think about the connections to the port before you think about the port," said Jaenichen. "What I’m talking about is how these systems fit together, whether its road or rail, it’s all got to fit seamlessly together because if you put a container on a barge but you can’t get it out of the river port you take it to, it’s not gonna work.”
Jaenichen says last year nearly 3-quarters-of-a-billion dollars was given in river port building assistance.
The confluence continues Tuesday with panels examining legislative challenges and a tourism bureau workshop.
