Chamber of Commerce votes to support expanded liquor sales in Corbin

An organization that represents the interests of about 225 tri-county businesses has given its approval to a measure that would allow expanded liquor sales in Corbin.

The Board of Directors of Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce voted to support an effort to legalize package liquor sales in the city. Last week, a group called Corbin Citizens for Economic Progress, launched a campaign with its first newspaper advertisements asking registered voters in the city to sign a petition saying they wanted a special election on the issue. The group is headed by Kurt Kraus and Mario Cima, both residents of Corbin.

Bruce Carpenter, who serves as Executive Director of the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said the organization’s board voted in favor of supporting the petition during its regular monthly meeting last week.

"Becky Myers, who is President of the Chamber Board of Directors, received a letter from Kurt Kraus asking for the Chamber’s support and she contacted me about it," Carpenter said. "We already had a board meeting scheduled. That was added to part of the discussion. It was presented as an economic development issue to increase jobs as well as increasing tourism by attracing more dining and entertainment establishments. They were voting on it from that standpoint."

Carpenter said there was limited discussion on the issue among board members.

But the vote was anything but unanimous. Seven members voted in favor of the proposal, while six voted against. The board officially has 17 members. Four did not attend the meeting.

Carpenter said he doesn’t think the chamber would be willing to help finance the effort to get the issue on the ballot.

"That was not addressed and I can’t answer for the board on that," Carpenter said. "My personal opinion is, they would not support it financially. All the money the Chamber has is earmarked for educational purposes."

In an exclusive interview with the News Journal last week, Kraus said eight months of planning was completed before he decided to go public with the effort. About 400 signatures from registered voters who reside in the city limits of Corbin is needed in support of the petition to get it on the ballot. Organizers say they’d like to get at least 800 signatures.

Once the signatures are presented to the County Clerk in either Knox or Whitley County, the signatures are verified. Then, the Judge-Executive from that respective county will set a date for a vote on the issue. Only registered voters who live in the city limits of Corbin will get to vote.

The official question on the ballot would be: "Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in Corbin, Kentucky?"
A vote can be held within 60 days of the presentation of the petition, but no sooner. It cannot be held on the same day as a primary or general election.

If passed, the measure would allow for stores in Corbin to sell beer, wine and packaged liquor that can be consumed off-premise. In 2003, Corbin voters approved a ballot initiative that allowed restaurants, that seat at least 100 people, to sell alcohol by the drink. These "limited restaurants" must have at least 70 percent of gross receipts come from the sale of food.
Officials with the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control estimate that Corbin would be allowed three package liquor store licenses if the measure is passed.

An unlimited number of stores could obtain licenses to sell beer only.

Kraus said he is hoping to get stores like Kroger, Circle K, Speedway and others to support and contribute to the effort.