News

Proponents of a merged government in Hardin County hope to put the issue on the ballot this year. Advocates say combining Elizabethtown, Vine Grove and Radcliffe with Hardin County’s unincorporated areas and other cities would be a boon to economic development. The governments can merge under the same state law that allowed Lexington and Fayette County to consolidate in 1974. (The law that allowed the Louisville-Jefferson County merger applies only to first class cities.)

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The Kentucky House of Representatives passed House Bill 190 Wednesday in a unanimous 94-0 vote.
The bill’s primary goal was to clarify the language of the existing unification law, said Luke Schmidt, consultant for Hardin County United.

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ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (WAVE) - Hardin County United (HCU) today recognized the action taken by the Kentucky House of Representatives in passing House Bill 190 by a vote of 94 – 0. read more »

House Bill 190 and Senate Bill 78 Seek to Assure Communities that the Votes of their Citizens will Count When it Comes to Determining Final Participation in a Unified Government Plan

Elizabethtown, Kentucky (January 6, 2012) – Hardin County United (HCU) today announced that legislation has been filed in both the Kentucky State House of Representatives and the Kentucky State Senate. The companion bills – House Bill 190, introduced by State Representative Jimmie Lee (D-Elizabethtown) and State Representative Tim Moore (R-Elizabethtown), and, Senate Bill 78, introduced by Senator Dennis Parrett (D-Elizabethtown) – are designed to affirm the intent of the majority of voters participating in a community-wide referendum on unified government.

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Washington, DC, Oct 21 - U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) visited with two visionary groups in eastern Kentucky on Wednesday, October 19th. read more »

Congressman Hal Rogers (R) of Kentucky told those gathered at a reception at University of Pikeville’s Booth Auditorium that a $750,000 federal aviation grant has been approved for take off. The formal announcement made by the congressman follows efforts made by him along with a partnership between the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Pikeville, Pike County Regional Airport and the City of Pikeville. read more »

COVINGTON - In 1872, Covington and Newport considered merging.
That's the first newspaper reference to local government mergers in Northern Kentucky, according to Northern Kentucky University history professor Paul Tenkotte. Most cities have opted to remain independent - Campbell County has 15 cities and Kenton has 18 - but the idea of consolidation never left the minds of local leaders. read more »

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY. (WDRB) — Become a Kentucky super-city, or keep individuality intact? Some cities in Hardin County are deciding they would rather stand alone. It’s an uphill battle for Hardin County United, trying to convince six cities to merge — and Radcliff is already saying “no.” That leaves Elizabethtown, Vine Grove, Upton, Sonora, and West Point in the mix. read more »

Guest column by Luke B. Schmidt, consultant to Hardin County United

Hardin County’s citizens have a unique opportunity. Hardin County has the opportunity to unify its existing good local government and become one of the largest and most progressive communities in Kentucky.
However, before the citizens will be able to consider and vote on whether or not the community should unify, a specific plan first must be developed. Under Kentucky law, this plan only can be developed by what is called the unification review commission. read more »

By Marty Finley, The News-Enterprise
Hardin Circuit Judge Ken Howard told a roomful of elected officials Wednesday that Hardin County is in an age of prosperity and growth, which is the perfect time to consider looking at a unified local government. read more »

Effort Will Create Kentucky’s Third Largest Community, New Clout in Frankfort and Washington, and Streamline Government; HCU to Request the Appointment of a Unification Review Commission
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HARDIN County, Ky. (WDRB Fox 41) -- Hardin County is one step closer to becoming the third largest community in Kentucky, but there's still a lot of work to be done before it could happen. A yellow shaded area shows where the majority of Hardin county residents live. "You have 85,000 people (in that area). That is easily the 3rd largest community in the state of Kentucky," said Luke Schmidt, of Schmidt and Associates Consulting Firm.

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Petitions are being circulated in Hardin County to change the liquor laws in three cities. The group Hardin County United is supporting efforts to expand restaurant and package liquor sales in Elizabethtown, Radcliff and Vine Grove. read more »

Hardin County United formally endorsed the efforts of Yes for Economic Success, arguing the debate is one of economic development and should be taken to voters to decide. Y.E.S. is a collective of local organizations and residents working to change existing alcohol laws in Hardin County because, Y.E.S. argues, they are unnecessarily stringent and an encumbrance to business growth. In an effort to revise the laws, Y.E.S. is leading concurrent petition drives in Elizabethtown, Radcliff and Vine Grove to authorize a local option election in the three cities at the same time.

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Elizabethtown, Kentucky (March 23, 2011) – Hardin County United (HCU) today announced that its Steering Committee has voted to support the ongoing petition drive of the YES for Economic Success (Y.E.S.) Committee to gather signatures of registered voters in Elizabethtown, Radcliff and Vine Grove in order to allow for a referendum later this year and changing existing law to allow alcoholic beverage sales in all three cities. read more »

Elizabethtown, Kentucky (February 3, 2011) – Hardin County United (HCU) today announced that it has posted the Hardin County Educational Roadmap on its new Web site (www.hardincountyunited.com). The Roadmap provides a detailed summary of virtually every educational opportunity available in Hardin County today. read more »

The organization formed out of the Hardin County Vision Project announced its expansion into the online world Friday with the launch of its official Web site, which will directly link users to the latest news and happening surrounding the groups aimed at fleshing out the 24 strategic goals identified through the visioning process. read more »

Elizabethtown, Kentucky (January 28, 2011) – Hardin County United (HCU) today unveiled its new logo and Web site. The logo, designed by Heartland Communications Consultants of Elizabethtown, features a stylized map of Hardin County, surrounded by an arrow, indicating a county and its citizens which are working together to address new opportunities. The subtle green color is also intended to convey the strong partnership that the county enjoys with Fort Knox.
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Video news report on the launch of Hardin County United's study of consolidated government. read more »

The first formal project by Hardin County United (HCU) will include a study of consolidated government and its potential for the Greater Hardin County community. read more »