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    Magistrates say they’ll discuss 2-year wind and BESS moratorium at next fiscal court meeting

    Magistrates say they’ll discuss 2-year wind and BESS moratorium at next fiscal court meeting

    Kentuckians paid millions in electricity costs for a steel mill. Big Rivers says it was justified.

    Beshear appoints new communications director, thanks previous spokesperson for service

    Pride ’25: Gatten honored as first recipient of award named after her late wife

    Pride ’25: Gatten honored as first recipient of award named after her late wife

    Briefs: Floyd wins insurance award; Lawson ‘exemplary;’ ‘A Fresh Perspective’ at Audubon; Todd up for young professional of the year

    City commission briefs: Honoring Taylor; Joint resolution and a tolling authority for the new bridge

    City commission briefs: Honoring Taylor; Joint resolution and a tolling authority for the new bridge

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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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    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

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

    Henderson joins West Kentucky Film Commission with hopes of luring movie makers here

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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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    Magistrates say they’ll discuss 2-year wind and BESS moratorium at next fiscal court meeting

    Magistrates say they’ll discuss 2-year wind and BESS moratorium at next fiscal court meeting

    Kentuckians paid millions in electricity costs for a steel mill. Big Rivers says it was justified.

    Beshear appoints new communications director, thanks previous spokesperson for service

    Pride ’25: Gatten honored as first recipient of award named after her late wife

    Pride ’25: Gatten honored as first recipient of award named after her late wife

    Briefs: Floyd wins insurance award; Lawson ‘exemplary;’ ‘A Fresh Perspective’ at Audubon; Todd up for young professional of the year

    City commission briefs: Honoring Taylor; Joint resolution and a tolling authority for the new bridge

    City commission briefs: Honoring Taylor; Joint resolution and a tolling authority for the new bridge

    Trending Tags

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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

    Trending Tags

  • Entertainment
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    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

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

    Stanley hopes his exhibition is a reminder ‘to be open to joyfulness…from whatever ridiculous source it may come’

    Henderson joins West Kentucky Film Commission with hopes of luring movie makers here

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
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    Grants available from Deaconess Henderson Hospital Community Program Fund

    Hospital CAO: Deaconess Henderson will not close

    Enjoy the fresh taste of summer

    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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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

Next Post

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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