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    Public hearings concerning wind turbines to begin soon

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    The first Farm Fresh Fest celebrates local produce and those who grow it

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    Students and local educators prep for free Friday play at the PAC

    BRIEFS: Wathen Lane portion closed 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; HCC named ‘Opportunity College’

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    Going it alone, Carter Siewert places third in national video game competition

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

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    July hopes to start off with a box office bang

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    Ellis Park opens season

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    2025 Handy Fest photo gallery

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    Gritty Lady Cols advance to Final 4

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    Summer blockbusters finally arrive in June

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    A former Japanese tennis star champions Henderson County athletes

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    Enjoy the fresh taste of summer

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    Regional collaborative assists those suffering from mental health challenges with online resources

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    Plenty of baseball to watch without stepping into a big league stadium

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    Matthew 25 cuts the ribbon on new mobile sexual health unit

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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

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    The first Farm Fresh Fest celebrates local produce and those who grow it

    A rundown of local grant award recipients

    Students and local educators prep for free Friday play at the PAC

    Students and local educators prep for free Friday play at the PAC

    BRIEFS: Wathen Lane portion closed 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; HCC named ‘Opportunity College’

    Going it alone, Carter Siewert places third in national video game competition

    Going it alone, Carter Siewert places third in national video game competition

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    In some parts of the U.S., the grid of the future might be closer than you think

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    July hopes to start off with a box office bang

    July hopes to start off with a box office bang

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    Ellis Park opens season

    2025 Handy Fest photo gallery

    2025 Handy Fest photo gallery

    Gritty Lady Cols advance to Final 4

    Gritty Lady Cols advance to Final 4

    Summer blockbusters finally arrive in June

    Summer blockbusters finally arrive in June

    A former Japanese tennis star champions Henderson County athletes

    A former Japanese tennis star champions Henderson County athletes

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    Grants available from Deaconess Henderson Hospital Community Program Fund

    Hospital CAO: Deaconess Henderson will not close

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    Enjoy the fresh taste of summer

    Regional collaborative assists those suffering from mental health challenges with online resources

    Regional collaborative assists those suffering from mental health challenges with online resources

    Plenty of baseball to watch without stepping into a big league stadium

    Plenty of baseball to watch without stepping into a big league stadium

    Matthew 25 cuts the ribbon on new mobile sexual health unit

    Matthew 25 cuts the ribbon on new mobile sexual health unit

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

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Home News Local

Visitors spent more than $95 million here last year

Vince Tweddell by Vince Tweddell
June 1, 2024
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And Henderson is named one of the friendliest towns in the South

You hear it often around town these days: Henderson is on a roll.

A few announcements in the past couple days confirm that.

On Thursday, Hydro Aluminum announced it was expanding its facility on Riverport Road. (Read about that in today’s e-newsletter or here.)

On Friday, the Henderson Tourist Commission announced Henderson and Henderson County had a record year for tourism in 2023, with visitors spending more than $95 million here last year. 

And then on Saturday morning, local officials learned that Henderson had been named one of the 20 friendliest towns in the South by the magazine, “Southern Living.” (Take a look at the article here.)

That’s the second listing for Henderson in the magazine this spring. It was recently named the 8th best small town in Kentucky, while Thomason’s Barbecue was named the second-best BBQ joint in the state. (Read about that listing here.)

The fanfare is one reason tourists spent $95.7 million, a 12% increase over the year before and highest in Henderson’s history, according to a release from the Henderson Tourist Commission.

The local tourism industry sustained 609 jobs—in hospitality, retail and entertainment—which accounted for $17.8 million in labor income, said the release.

The data came from a report by Tourism Economics, a company hired by the Kentucky Department of Tourism.  Henderson Tourist Commission Executive Director Abby Dixon called Tourism Economics the gold standard of companies compiling tourism data globally.

Dixon said she believes the local surge can be attributed to a few things. First, the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is still playing in the minds of people, and a lot of pent-up desire to get out is present, she said.

Also many of the long vacations, such as Disney World, are too hard on pocketbooks and “less attainable,” Dixon said. People are looking for things closer to home, she said.

“There’s so much to see in our own backyard,” she said.

She also said the local tourist commission has been able to use American Rescue Plan Act funding to bolster advertising and introduce Henderson to new markets.

Finally, Henderson festivals are stronger than ever, the restaurant scene is flourishing and local economic development makes regular headlines, which also increases travel to the area, she said.

 “The economic benefits from this surge will have a lasting positive impact on our county,” Dixon said in the release. “These record-breaking numbers are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our local businesses, attractions, and community partners.”

And, of course, the friendly folks in Henderson can take a little credit, too.

Previous Post

Hydro Aluminum expansion will bring 31 new jobs

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Reduced weight limit on US 60 bridge between Henderson and Union counties

Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell is the founder, publisher and editor of the Hendersonian.

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Reduced weight limit on US 60 bridge between Henderson and Union counties

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