Farmer’s Market Pavilion dedicated Friday in Corbin

About 50 people turned out on a gloomy and rainy Friday afternoon to celebrate the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission’s Hometown Bank Farmers Market Pavilion, and put it to good use in order to get out of the rain.

“Fortunately, we have a beautiful pavilion that provides us with all kinds of cover. First and foremost, I would like to say thank you all so much for joining us for this very, very special day and this wonderful occasion,” noted Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission Executive Director Maggy Monhollen at the start of the event.

“The celebration today is for a legacy brick and mortar project that will continue to provide opportunity for the people of Southeastern Kentucky and Appalachia as a region. The structure will allow the farmer’s market to have a permanent home that will serve as an incubator for future entrepreneurs, makers and farmers resulting in economic development and stimulation.”

She added that the pavilion will also be used for a variety of quality of life events, which will result not only in economic stimulation, but also positive memories and a sense of community.

Monhollen noted that the farmer’s market pavilion has been quite a while in the making.

“In 2019, the Hometown Bank Farmer’s Market Pavilion started as a dream, a seed, a discussion. The Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission owned one final piece of property piece of property in downtown Corbin and wanted to make sure that property was used for something that would further the development of the destination that Corbin is. With support and approval from the board, the Hometown Bank Farmer’s Market Pavilion project became a reality,” she said.

The total project was nearly $750,000, which came from a variety of sources.

The United States Department of Agriculture provided a $100,000 Rural Economic Development Grant, and the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board provided a $100,000 grant through the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund.

The Corbin Tourism Commission contributed $300,000 for the project from its general fund, the Whitley County Extension Office contributed $1,500, and Hometown Bank of Corbin contributed $250,000 in corporate sponsorship towards the project.

“You never really know how much something is needed until it starts raining and you are downtown and you have cover. This is a perfect opportunity and a perfect spot for us to do this,” Hometown Bank President and CEO Tim Barnes joked during the event.

Barnes noted that Monhollen started speaking with him about a possible partnership while the bank was in the midst of celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2020.

Then the pandemic struck.

The bank took the money that it planned to use for the anniversary celebration and instead invested it in the farmer’s market pavilion.

“Thank you for allowing us to be part of this,” he added.

Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus noted that Monhollen is owed a debt of gratitude for her perseverance and hard work.

“Truly, I don’t know anyone, who has a work ethic like Maggy. When she sets her mind to doing something, she gets it done. I am so proud and I am so grateful that she is our tourism director here in the City of Corbin and the downtown manager. We are very, very blessed Maggy to have you and really look forward to fabulous things that you will continue to do for our community. Thank you Maggy Monhollen,” Razmus noted.

The Whitley County Farmer’s Market Board of Directors came up with the original design for the project.

“The commission felt it was very important for the farmers to be involved so that we could create something that they could use and that would be most productive for them,” Monhollen said.

Deco Architects out of Monticello drafted the full design for the project. HWZ Enterprises was the general contractor. DK Media designed and installed all of the signage.

“It is with great honor and pleasure that we say congratulations to all of our partners with a true sense of gratefulness and appreciation,” Monhollen added.