A town of 7,300 in southeastern Kentucky has revitalized its downtown through a local-food renaissance. Corbin‘s main street, once filled with vacant buildings and few businesses, is now thriving, adding 20 new businesses since 2012 while reducing a 40 percent vacancy rate to nearly zero, writes Patty Cantrell, of the Missouri-based consulting firm Regional Food Solutions, for Good Food On Every Table.
“Corbin is among a growing number of towns discovering and capitalizing on the power of local food to provide that new economy stimulus,” Cantrell writes. Mayor Willard McBurney told her, “Bringing people back downtown to live, work, and play is key. To do that you need places to eat, places to shop.”
Communities are getting help from federal agencies, such as Local Foods, Local Places, which provides grants “to boost economic opportunities for local farmers and businesses, improve access to healthy local food, and promote childhood wellness,” says the Environmental Protection Agency, one of the sponsors of the program.
Big changes began in Corbin “when Main Street manager Andy Salmons partnered with the successful Whitley County Farmers Market,” Cantrell writes. “Two years ago, they brought vendors and live music to downtown’s Vibroc Park on Tuesday evenings through the growing season. The event does two important things. It gets people used to coming downtown. It also serves as a business incubator and networking service for vendors.”
Kristin Smith, who returned to Corbin a few years ago to co-open a local brewery and work on her family farm, told Cantrell, “We have a massive void here in places to eat outside of chain restaurants. When someone you’ve known your whole life opens up a new restaurant, you’re rooting for them; you make a commitment to go there, to support them and their local suppliers. A large majority of our community is rooting for us, and a large majority doesn’t even drink.”
Now that properties are occupied and downtown activity is strong, “the city of Corbin is expanding it work to attract residents to Main Street and surrounding neighborhoods,” Cantrell writes. “The resources Corbin needs to do it are also growing with its success. [Andy] Salmons started his part-time Main Street manager job four years ago with an annual budget of $15,000. Today it’s up to $280,000 from the city’s general fund.” He told Cantrell, “We formulated a strong sense of what we were going for. We wanted to restore that sense that it’s a viable thing to live, work, and play downtown.”
[Editor’s Note: This article was cross-posted from the Rural Blog.]
Very interesting! I’ve always assumed Corbin was horrible based on my stops for gas there on the way south. Next time I’ll pull off and explore; they should do more to let people know there is more there than gas stations and fast food at the exit!
Something must be done about the downtown parking situation. The street is too narrow, for parking on both sides. I was almost hit by two cars, last weekend! My family and I would spend much more time and money downtown, if we didn’t have to worry about getting struck by speeding cars! It’s truly dangerous!
Jennifer, I grew up there. And honestly, the way Main and Kentucky streets are now is a blessing. I’ve never found parking on Main to be difficult or a hazard.
Just have to use Depot St. but, I’ve not been on it in years lol!!
Lived here my entire life, I can remember downtown being busier when I was a kid and it kinda turned into a ghost town, but know u can see and feel the change. Me and my husband love the Wrigley, we r there once a week, delicious local food and great atmosphere. Excited to see future changes and local businesses continue to thrive.
This is great news! I have always thought of Corbin as one the worst looking towns in Kentucky. Are there any photos available of downtown Corbin after its revitalization?
Good idea for Somerset, too. I’d like to see a area where local artists could display their artwork.
I was born in Corbin and raised in South Corbin. Spent eight years in the Army, Army Air Corps, and the USAF, but when I was discharged after the end of the Korean war.. My father was Albert Sumner who worked at the L & N RR for about 50 years. I always wanted to go back, but no decent jobs were available. I am retired and live in Versailles, KY now. It appears that the younger generation is on the ball and attracting new people and new jobs to Corbin. I wish them a lot of luck, but a warning: Luck is realized by hard work. The harder you work the luckier you get.
I remember Corbin as a place to stop for gas on I 75 on the way to Florida-both as a kid and as an adult–but never really “stopped” for any other reason. So glad to see it “coming back” it could be a major stop-over for lots of people if this is successful. Hope so.
Jennifer G., that’s a ridiculous excuse and you probably know it. Is it really that dangerous? Not ever in my experience. Stop your complaining and do something about it, if you’re so inclined. If you’re not inclined to help out, stay quiet and enjoy the fruits of your neighbors’ hard labor.
Cheryl, Somerset has had a facility for viewing local art for many years, in the heart of downtown in the old library. You should have a look; you’d probably enjoy it!
I’m happy that Corbin is moving beyond it’s reputation as one of Southern Kentucky’s most hateful, racist and downtrodden towns (remember the sign reminding African Americans that they should leave before sundown? A lot of us do). Many of us moved away from Southern and Eastern Kentucky over the years not only to find better opportunities, but to get away from the stifling religious fanaticism and pharmaceutical abuse issues–and the plethora of associated problems that come along with them–that plague the region. Hopefully, HOPEFULLY, this momentum continues. Good on ya’ Corbin!
This is great. I used to live in Corbin years ago. And ate a lot at the YMCA, railroad station.
Is the old movie theater there? I’d be interested in getting that going again but I need to know who owns it and walk thru it to estimate what it woud cost and the return, I can be reached at tompoe1@icloud1.com
I Grew up in Corbin. It was a thriving beautiful down town. Our growing up there was wonderful, they were always making it better all the time. After I graduated in a few years it started going down No one was trying to continue keeping it looking. It got to be depressing when I would go back to visit. I am thrilled they are bring back the down town area & all they are doing. In the past they tore down historical nuildings
My hometown.
I loved going downtown as a kid. I was raised out in the “county”. All the stores seemed so huge to me. I’ve visited in the last few years and have patronized a couple of the new eateries. It makes me feel very nostalgic.
I wish that they would do that in Williamsburg Kentucky, we don’t even have a movie theater. No wonder there are children and teenagers getting in trouble, there isn’t anything to do here. We have to go to Corbin to see a movie.
Are there any good jobs. Do they have a VA nursing home there
I was born in Colorado, but I’ve made Corbin my home for the past six years now. In that time, I’ve seen Corbin change from a place that reminded me of every rundown town in America, to a place that’s doing its best to bring back the charm of a small town.
Good on the voters for legalizing alcohol sales. That tax revenue was the first major step in getting the funds needed for turning this place around. Barbourville finally took notice; Knox voters finally got it approved there as well.
Hopefully all of Southeastern Kentucky can experience this resurgence. All that has to happen to make it stick, is a lack of greed and corruption within our local political climate, as well as responsible drinking habits by the voters.
It’s sad that it took so long before a substance was made legal to sell in a region that is full of people who enjoy alcohol as much as any other American town. All the revenue through the years that these counties could have added to their coffers went north to Richmond, or south to Jellico, Tn. Now instead of bolstering their economies, we can reap the fruits in our own towns. So many positive changes in just the last two years. I love it here, and am proud to raise my family in this beautiful region.
So wonderful to see a hometown being brought back to what it once was, maybe even better. Gives me hope for my hometown! Keep up the good work!