Nicholasville is on the move. From public safety improvements to economic development and new recreational opportunities, Mayor Alex Carter recently addressed the community to highlight the city’s ongoing progress and future vision. In his speech, Mayor Carter reflected on key achievements, including investments in police and fire services, infrastructure upgrades, park enhancements, and commercial growth. As Nicholasville continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Kentucky, the Mayor reaffirmed his commitment to public safety, community engagement, and sustainable growth.

Below is Mayor Carter’s full speech, outlining the exciting developments shaping Nicholasville’s future:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and very humbled to serve our community as Nicholasville Mayor, alongside a great City Commission. We have Mrs. Patty Teater in attendance—she’s been with the city longer than I have—and we truly have a great group. I’m so happy to be here with you this morning and share a couple of things that are going on in Nicholasville. I served on the City Commission for four years prior to becoming Mayor. My first term as a city commissioner began in January 2019, and I’ve spent the last two years as mayor. I have a bit of experience as a City Commissioner as well, though not as much as Mayor Rainwater, but I’m thankful to be here with our great community partners.

I’m going to share with you all some of the things we have going on and some of our recent accomplishments. Over the past couple of years, we opened a new police station in June 2022, which is a 26,000 square foot state of the art facility—offering huge improvements compared to what our Nicholasville police officers had previously. They were operating out of a former grocery store right across from City Hall, so this new facility is a major accomplishment for our police department. Our public safety efforts have also included increases in salaries, funding, equipment, and facilities. Since 2020, we’ve increased the starting salaries for police and fire departments by 58% the last five years. We had been struggling to recruit and retain police officers and firefighters. Public safety is a top priority in Nicholasville, and I believe the City Commission has done a great job prioritizing this, which is a testament to our growing community. Nicholasville is the ninth largest city in Kentucky and the fifth fastest-growing city in the state, demonstrating strong leadership within the City Commission and our commitment to safety.

Regarding the Fire Department, last year we added a new fire truck at Station Three on Elizabeth Drive. This was the second fire truck we’ve added in four years, and another is scheduled for delivery this fall. We are continuing our investment in the Fire Department by planning a new facility, which is expected to begin construction in the next three to five years. Late last year, we acquired land on the west side along Wilmore Road for Fire Station Five. This new station will serve west side neighborhoods, including Lu-Carlton, Heritage Estates, and the West Gate subdivisions, marking another significant accomplishment for our city. With increased fire protection on the west side of Nicholasville we ensure that our public safety rating continues to improve with our growing community and keeping our residents safe while reducing property insurance premiums within our urban service boundary.

We are also making significant investments in our parks and recreation. Anessa Snowden has joined our team as the Director of Nicholasville/Jessamine County Parks and Recreation. Mrs. Snowden has a tremendous experience in parks and recreation programs and has made incredible progress within the last few months. We’re thrilled to have her, along with the Parks and Recreation Board and our partnership with the Jessamine County Fiscal Court. A major achievement is the new turf field at John Preece Park. The turf field was donated by a representative from the New Orleans Saints and was actually played on by professional NFL athletes. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place last fall. This multi-purpose field must be scheduled through Nicholasville Parks and Recreation and represents a strong partnership between the Jessamine County Fiscal Court and the City of Nicholasville.

Another significant project on the horizon is the new Community Recreation Center. This past Monday, at the City Commission meeting, we approved the construction management contract to move forward with the project. We’re planning a 60,000-square-foot, multi-purpose Community Recreation Center at John Preece Park, adjacent to the turf field. We’re very excited about this opportunity for our residents. The Jessamine County Fiscal Court has envisioned this project for about 25 years, with initial discussions dating back to the early 2000s. Community input has been invaluable, and we’re eager to provide new recreational opportunities for our community.

Another important initiative is the Jeanette Industrial Park, supported by Congressman Andy Barr. We’ve secured $2 million in federal funding through the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for phase three acquisition—91 acres adjacent to the existing industrial park on the west side bypass. We’re nearing the completion of phase two and will soon begin infrastructure and utility improvements for phase three. This is a major investment by the Jessamine County Economic Development Authority, which is another great example of a joint venture between the City of Nicholasville and the Jessamine County Fiscal Court.

We’re also working on various utility projects, including the wastewater treatment plant expansion completed in fall 2022. This $21 million project increased our wastewater treatment capacity from approximately 4 million gallons per day to 7 million gallons per day. This substantial investment ensures proper utility infrastructure for the future.

Additionally, we are beginning construction on a 24-inch water main from the water treatment plant on Waterworks Road, a project funded by a $1.9 million grant through the state legislature and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority. This new main will enhance our water capacity and reliability, replacing outdated lines from as far back as 1950.

I also have a map to share with you, highlighting our commercial and residential developments. Much of the activity is in the north end of Nicholasville, particularly around Brannon Crossing. A significant new commercial development is underway at the corner of 169 and the bypass. This strictly commercial project could include sit-down restaurants, a grocery store, and retail shops. It’s the first major development within the heart of Nicholasville in a long time, and we’re very excited about it.

Moving south, you can see developments like West Place, Burley Ridge, East Gate residential Subdivisions, and the Jeanette Industrial Park. The 91-acre site acquired through Congressman Barr’s efforts will soon undergo infrastructure improvements, and additional areas have been recently rezoned for future growth.

None of this progress would be possible without prioritizing public safety, which will remain a key focus of the Nicholasville City Commission. As I mentioned earlier, no one wants to move to a community that is not safe, and Nicholasville’s status as the fifth fastest-growing city in Kentucky is a testament to our strong public safety measures and successful growth strategy which encourages people to locate to Nicholasville.

Thank you for allowing me to share these updates, and I look forward to continuing to work together to make Nicholasville a great place to live, work, and thrive.”