March 6, 2015
For Immediate Release

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Dr. John Chowning, chairman of the Heartland Parkway Foundation, and board members from Taylor, Marion, Adair and Washington counties hosted visitors on Heartland Parkway Day at the capitol annex in Frankfort February 26.

The foundation's mission is to educate and gather support in the Commonwealth and in Washington on the importance of the construction of the road.

The Heartland Parkway will relieve traffic on both I-65 and I-75, serves as a connector to I-64 to the north, and will also connect with the future I-66 route along the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway to the south, thus improving economic development and tourism.

Larry Bond, chief of staff for Gov. Steve Beshear, shared remarks with the group as did the legislative leaders.

The Heartland Parkway Foundation Board of Directors welcomed visitors to Heartland Parkway Day at the capitol annex in Frankfort February 26. This group representing Marion County includes, from left: State Representative Terry Mills; foundation treasurer and Lebanon City Administrator John Thomas; State Senator Jimmy Higdon; Stephanie Higdon, KAED director; Tom Lund, economic development director; and Marion County Judge/Executive David Daugherty. (Photo by Linda Marcum Waggener)

Officials at the meeting included: State Representative Bam Carney, State Representative Terry Mills, State Representative Kim King, State Senator Jimmy Higdon, State Senator Tom Buford, State Senator Max Wise, State Senate President Robert Stivers and State Senate President Pro-Tem David Givens; Stewart Willis, a policy adviser with Speaker Greg Stumbo's office; and Tom Dorman, chief of staff for Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins.

Chowning said, “All of the leaders expressed interest in the Heartland Parkway project and commended board members for the work of promoting the project. One of the key issues that impacts the parkway project, as well as our rural and municipal roads, is the need for setting a floor on the gas tax in order to stabilize the road fund overall. It is hoped that the legislature will act during the current session to set a floor.

The Heartland Parkway Foundation Board of Directors hosted Heartland Parkway Day at the capitol annex in Frankfort February 26. Pictured from Taylor County are, from left: Clem Haskins, member of the Board; Dr. John Chowning, Heartland Parkway Foundation Board of Directors chairman; Chad Shively, Taylor County PVA; Ron McMahan, Team Taylor County director; Jane Wheatley, CEO of Taylor Regional Hospital; Taylor County Judge/Executive Eddie Rogers; and State Representative Bam Carney. State Senator Max Wise was present and spoke at the meeting but was unavailable for this picture. (Photo by Linda Marcum Waggener)

All four counties were represented with all the County Judge/Executives, all four economic development agencies, all of the legislators, and most of the city governments present. Chowning said he appreciates the continuing regional cooperation and coordination of effort as everyone works together to make this project a reality in the years ahead. He thanked the following people who helped plan, prepare and support the event in Frankfort: Judge John Settles, vice chair; Holly Grimsley, secretary; John Thomas, treasurer; Ron McMahan, Team Taylor County director; and Daniel Carney, executive director of Springfield-Washington County Economic Development.

Chowning said the foundation leaders will work to secure commitments from each of the candidates for Kentucky governor. Chowning also acknowledged the support of two Area Development Districts and their executive directors - Donna Diaz of the Lake Cumberland ADD and Wendell Lawrence of the Lincoln Trail ADD which he called “crucial to our ongoing progress.”

The Heartland Parkway Foundation Board of Directors welcomed visitors to Heartland Parkway Day at the capitol annex in Frankfort February 26. Board chairman Dr. John Chowning, left, was joined in this photo by Washington County representatives State Senator Tom Buford; State Representative Kim King; and Daniel Carney, executive director of Springfield-Washington County Economic Development. (Photo by Linda Marcum Waggener)

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.