Montgomery County is among the top 10 list of the fastest growing counties in the state. The U.S. Census Bureau recently released population projections. From July 1, 2012, to July 1, 2013, Montgomery County grew by 376 people (a population difference of 26,875 to 27,251). The 1.4 percent increase in population gives Montgomery County the fourth place spot on the top 10 list. Scott County was the fastest growing county, with a population increase of 2 percent. In second place on the list was Oldham County with a 1.6 percent increase, followed by Shelby County at 1.4 percent. Finishing the top 10 list are Bath County (1.3 percent); Simpson (1.3), Bullitt (1.3), Warren (1.2), Jessamine (1.2) and Spencer counties (1.2).
Ron Crouch, director of research and statistics for the state office of Employment and Training, told one media outlet Montgomery’s location along I-64 helps growth here. In addition, he mentioned the fact Black Mountain Door LLC, Olympic Steel and Boyd Mining have brought new jobs to the community in recent years.
Just last year, the community also learned Vogelsang Corp., a worldwide leading manufacturer of formed metal parts, would locate here. The German company, known for its manufacture of tubular fasteners for the automotive market, is located in a spec building in the Woodlands Industrial Park. By late September, the company had already hired 14 individuals, and that figure should increase to as many as 30.
It was a community effort to land Vogelsang, which involved cooperation between the Industrial Authority, Montgomery County Fiscal Court, Mt. Sterling Water and Sewer, Mt. Sterling City Council and Brett Construction, which put together the spec building.
Sandy Romenesko, Industrial Authority director, said it is community cooperation like that mentioned above that helps make this area attractive to others. “It takes a community to make this happen and we all should be very proud,” she told the Advocate. “I know I am proud of our community and will continue to work tirelessly to promote us and create employment opportunities for all.”
Tracy Pearce, local tourism director, said she too is working to help the community progress. “Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing counties in Kentucky and I want to help our community continue to grow by showcasing our attractions, events, shopping and dining options to as many people as possible at travel shows and with advertising and social media. People that visit and enjoy being here are much more likely to live here and open a business here. Our community is very visitor friendly and that really means a lot,” she told the Advocate.
The total population change for Montgomery from April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2013, was 752 people. From July 1, 2012, to July 1, 2013, there were 365 births and 251 deaths here. In the U.S., the fastest growing county from 2012 to 2013 was Williams County, N.D., with a 10.7 percent increase. North Dakota, according to the Census Bureau, appears many times in the top five lists when looking at the fastest growing counties with different total population size categories. The fastest growing county with 250,000 or more people in 2012 was Fort Bend, Texas. Harris, Texas (Houston), again had the largest numeric population increase between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2013. Los Angeles is the nation’s most populous county and the fastest losing county (among those with 10,000 or more people) was Lassen, Calif.
Additional stats about Montgomery County appear in the story at right. Editor’s note: The estimates are based on the 2010 Census and reflect changes to the April 1, 2010, population, the Census Bureau says on its website. The bureau uses births, deaths, administrative records and data from surveys to develop estimates. The Census Bureau says in the coming months it will release 2013 estimates of the total population of cities and towns, as well as national, state and county population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.
Other recognitions Mt. Sterling also recently was named a Top Micropolitan community by Site Selection Magazine. The magazine placed Kentucky fourth in the nation for new and expanded industry activity per capita in 2013. Site Selection is an Atlanta-based publication that rates statues annually. The ranking is based on a state’s total number of qualified projects as tracked by Conway Data Inc.’s New Plant database. This year is the first Site Selection ranked states on a per capita basis. Qualified projects include those that meet at least one of three criteria: involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, create 50 or more jobs or add at least 20,000 square feet of new floor space. Site Selection also recognizes top metropolitan and micropolitan areas for their economic development successes. The Top 10 Metro Areas ranking includes Lexington and Bowling Green. The 10 communities making the Top Micropolitans list for Kentucky were: Paducah (tied for 16th), Danville (tied for 27th), Mt. Sterling (tied for 27th), Union City, Tenn./Ky. (tied for 27th), Frankfort (tied for 41st), Murray (tied for 70th), London (tied for 70th), Mayfield (tied for 130th), Maysville (tied for 130th) and Somerset (tied for 130th).
In December, ConventionSouth readers and destination Facebook fans also selected their top 12 picks for “The South’s Cool Spots for Summer Meetings.“Meeting planners and event organizers from across the country look for unique destinations in the South to hold their meetings and events,” a release said.
Mt. Sterling appeared 10th on the list. In early December, ConventionSouth editors compiled a Facebook ballot with a list of 60 meetings destinations that are well fit for summer meetings as they are located within the South’s higher elevations and offer a milder climate during the summer months. From those 60 “Cool Spots,” fans were asked to vote for their top picks.
By Jamie Vinson
Advocate managing editor