Excavation underway for third ‘spec building’ at local industrial park

Above (at right), Bruce Carpenter, Economic Development Director for the city of Corbin, visits the site of a future speculative building to be constructed in the Southeast Regional Business Park off the Corbin Bypass.

Excavation has begun for the construction of a third speculative building in the Southeast Kentucky Business Park — a project slated to cost just over $1.6 million.

Site preparation for the 58,000 square feet structure is about two weeks from being complete, depending on weather. Principal construction will then begin on lot 10 at the park, a parcel of property located at the intersection of the Corbin Bypass (KY 3041) and what is known as the “Woodbine Connector.”

“I think it’s going to be a great location with a lot of visibility,” said Bruce Carpenter, Director of Economic Development for the city of Corbin. “It’s going to really show up well.”

The spot is a distance away from the first two speculative buildings undertaken by the park’s oversight board. They are currently occupied by Breaktime Vending and KOWA Kentucky.

G&G Contracting, of Annville, won the bid for the project over six other companies in mid-September. The low bid was $1,620,296.

The building will be the largest ever constructed in the park and will be expandable.

Speculative buildings are important to industrial recruitment efforts because companies are often looking for well-built, well-located, easily adaptable and available structures constructed with industrial uses in mind. Carpenter said the height of the building would be more than the other two in the park, which is also another feature that is desirable to potential companies looking to locate in the area.

Construction of the building is expected to be complete in 2016.