The next two installments discuss legislative moves that will help fuel Eastern Kentucky's revival. While a complete revival doesn't necessarily require help from the government. There are definitely several things local/state/federal government could do to aid the revival.
Up first is a change that must happen socially, then at the polls - the wet/dry issue. Most counties in Kentucky are dry (click the link for a map). To spark growth in tourism, this MUST change.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ejtf86mE9DdugWsss9vgBpf2kigYQfAQ1WNSRwYdv2Dypx8VWqcRMY3EtezzBJLQ2a51orVeeYO0RnMNh8EHOsZqpO45Hrs_79R1scRtBtd1PJUCrizYNArUv226KPwhpRbpz9ghI3A/s1600/Wet+Dry+Counties+in+Kentucky.JPG
If you have religious/moral convictions about the issue, think about this: Being dry doesn't stop drinking. It stops potential revenue, which stops growth/development opportunities, which stops the revitalization of our region. Its a financial decision.
Since the invention of the modern automobile, anyone in a dry county who wants to drink; will. They just go to a nearby county/city taking their potential revenue with them. It doesn't promote underage drinking. There are restrictions that come with the relevant ABC licenses and heavy fines associated with serving underage. The same cant be said for bootleggers. So if you oppose being wet for moral reasons, its really not making an impact.
It doesn't cause an increase in DUI related accidents. That's an argument unsupported by facts. Logic suggests residents in a dry county drive further to get a drink, therefore putting them on the road longer; increasing the chances of an accident. Furthermore drinking and driving are already illegal. So anyone making the conscious decision to break the law, it really has nothing to do with county/city lines.
Let's talk money. Restaurants are extremely hesitant to open in dry counties, and for good reason. Alcohol has a high profit margin. Probably the highest. If given the choice, why would a new restaurant open in a dry county? They wouldn't. Its why cities like Prestonsburg, Pikeville, and Whitesburg all show some growth in the entertainment/restaurant sector; while dry counties/cities are stagnant.
Whitesburg is an excellent case study in favor of the wet vote, because it voted wet only a few years ago. Whitesburg voted "moist" in 2007 and wet in 2012. The direct financial impact is incredible. Speaking with Eleanor Caudill, who is the city ABC administrator, stated that going wet generates approximately $120,000 for the city. Per Kentucky law, these funds can be used ONLY to pay for administration and law enforcement. However this still clears up funds from the general budget to be used for other matters.
The indirect financial impact has been just as incredible. Whitesburg added two very busy restaurants/music venues. They've added an active farmers market, which I will discuss in a later post. These additions increase revenue, build a sense of community, and promote a "buy local" culture; which Ill also discuss later. All in all, it makes Whitesburg a place that people want to visit.
If going wet for a tiny town the size of Whitesburg makes $120,000 direct impact, think of what it could do for a dry county. Or the region as a whole.
One might ask: if nearby counties are wet, why should MY county be wet? Being wet is absolutely crucial for food/drink tourism that will focus on Appalachian moonshine distilleries, wineries, and craft beer. Ill outline all these later in more detail. For now, just know these businesses will work alongside adventure related excursions to create the "pull" that makes people want to visit. The more options, the greater the pull. Noone will drive to Eastern Kentucky to visit a lone restaurant.
If counties won't vote wet, then cities need to. If cities wont, then communities need to incorporate into new cities and vote wet. The importance of this issue truly cant be overstated. Without it, Eastern Kentucky's future looks extremely bleak.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ejtf86mE9DdugWsss9vgBpf2kigYQfAQ1WNSRwYdv2Dypx8VWqcRMY3EtezzBJLQ2a51orVeeYO0RnMNh8EHOsZqpO45Hrs_79R1scRtBtd1PJUCrizYNArUv226KPwhpRbpz9ghI3A/s1600/Wet+Dry+Counties+in+Kentucky.JPG
If you have religious/moral convictions about the issue, think about this: Being dry doesn't stop drinking. It stops potential revenue, which stops growth/development opportunities, which stops the revitalization of our region. Its a financial decision.
Since the invention of the modern automobile, anyone in a dry county who wants to drink; will. They just go to a nearby county/city taking their potential revenue with them. It doesn't promote underage drinking. There are restrictions that come with the relevant ABC licenses and heavy fines associated with serving underage. The same cant be said for bootleggers. So if you oppose being wet for moral reasons, its really not making an impact.
It doesn't cause an increase in DUI related accidents. That's an argument unsupported by facts. Logic suggests residents in a dry county drive further to get a drink, therefore putting them on the road longer; increasing the chances of an accident. Furthermore drinking and driving are already illegal. So anyone making the conscious decision to break the law, it really has nothing to do with county/city lines.
Let's talk money. Restaurants are extremely hesitant to open in dry counties, and for good reason. Alcohol has a high profit margin. Probably the highest. If given the choice, why would a new restaurant open in a dry county? They wouldn't. Its why cities like Prestonsburg, Pikeville, and Whitesburg all show some growth in the entertainment/restaurant sector; while dry counties/cities are stagnant.
Whitesburg is an excellent case study in favor of the wet vote, because it voted wet only a few years ago. Whitesburg voted "moist" in 2007 and wet in 2012. The direct financial impact is incredible. Speaking with Eleanor Caudill, who is the city ABC administrator, stated that going wet generates approximately $120,000 for the city. Per Kentucky law, these funds can be used ONLY to pay for administration and law enforcement. However this still clears up funds from the general budget to be used for other matters.
The indirect financial impact has been just as incredible. Whitesburg added two very busy restaurants/music venues. They've added an active farmers market, which I will discuss in a later post. These additions increase revenue, build a sense of community, and promote a "buy local" culture; which Ill also discuss later. All in all, it makes Whitesburg a place that people want to visit.
If going wet for a tiny town the size of Whitesburg makes $120,000 direct impact, think of what it could do for a dry county. Or the region as a whole.
One might ask: if nearby counties are wet, why should MY county be wet? Being wet is absolutely crucial for food/drink tourism that will focus on Appalachian moonshine distilleries, wineries, and craft beer. Ill outline all these later in more detail. For now, just know these businesses will work alongside adventure related excursions to create the "pull" that makes people want to visit. The more options, the greater the pull. Noone will drive to Eastern Kentucky to visit a lone restaurant.
If counties won't vote wet, then cities need to. If cities wont, then communities need to incorporate into new cities and vote wet. The importance of this issue truly cant be overstated. Without it, Eastern Kentucky's future looks extremely bleak.
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