Officials in Christian County are awaiting the results of a study aimed at assessing the economic impact of agriculture in the area.
The study, commissioned by the Christian County Ag Business Association, is being conducted by the University of Kentucky. It will cover Christian, Trigg and Todd counties. The study will look at Census data and Kentucky ag statistics before researchers will survey individual businesses and farms.
BrianLacefield, with the ag business association, says the study’s findings will help local farmers maximize profit from their crops.
“First I guess we’re trying to measure how much it is already diversified and what it’s doing – not just what we’re producing, but then trying to see that rollover effect," Lacefield said. "When you have a dollar generated in Hopkinsville, how many times does that dollar turn at all the local businesses?”
Lacefield said the study’s results, due sometime this fall, will help attract new businesses and grow what the area already has. He says its cost is about $32,000 and the ag business association is trying to find partners to help pay for it.
