WARSAW, Ky. — The footprint of Greater Cincinnati continues to widen.

        Gallatin County — southwest of Boone County and across the Ohio River from Indiana — soon will have its first-ever comprehensive plan to assist developers with zoning and growth issues, another sign that it is one of the fastest-growing counties in Kentucky.

Growth is changing Gallatin County's rural flavor. Along Ky. 35 near Warsaw, Chris Lane (top) and his brother Chad install a billboard for a casino across the river. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        It's the third-fastest growing in Kentucky — behind only No.1 neighboring Boone County and No. 2 Oldham County near Louisville. Best known as home of the $154 million Kentucky Speedway, which opened last summer just off I-71 at Sparta, Gallatin County has gained nearly a third in population over the past 10 years because of its location and ability to attract business and industry.

        According to the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, 1998 statistics show a population of 7,182 in Gallatin, a 33.2 percent increase from 1990.

        “That's significant,” said NKADD regional planner Scott Boone. “And the Kentucky State Data Center projects that growth will continue. The 2020 estimate has Gallatin's population at 11,321.”

        “All of Northern Kentucky is growing,” Gallatin County Judge-executive George Zubaty said Tuesday. “Boone County has been No. 1 in growth in the state for a while, and Grant County is coming up fast. We have everything to offer here ... railroad, river and interstate highway.

        “And let's face it. It's probably easier to live here and drive to Cincinnati (35 miles) than to live in some of the outskirts of Cincinnati and drive downtown.”

        In area, Gallatin is the second-smallest county in the state, with 99.2 square miles.

        Mr. Boone is working with the Gallatin Fiscal Court to complete the comprehensive plan, which Mr. Zubaty thinks will be a major tool in the county's continued growth.
       

Public meetings
        A series of public meetings will be held around the county next week to gain public comment before the plan is finalized and voted on by the Fiscal Court.

        “What we have now is a rough draft,” Mr. Boone said. “Once it has been subjected to public scrutiny and input, we'll make the final changes.”

        Dan Dressman, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky, said there is very little residential building activity in Gallatin County right now, but that will change.

        “We anticipate a growth spurt in the near future,” he said. “One reason is the availability of land and land prices. And the county's plans to provide water and sewer to a larger part of the county will make a big difference. They're adopting a zoning code ... they are realizing if they don't take a proactive approach to the future, they may have some things they don't want.”

        Mr. Zubaty said there are several areas where residential and commercial growth is anticipated in the near future.

        “We expect commercial growth, especially restaurants and motels, along the new corridor road from I-71 to U.S. 42,” he said. “The new regional sewer area around Glencoe and Sparta will mean growth in that area. Warsaw already has a sewer treatment plant, and it could be expanded very easily and inexpensively.”
       

New interchange
        The new I-71 interchange and corridor road to U.S. 42, just south of the speedway, is now in the preliminary stages of construction and expected to be com pleted in 2003.

        In addition to encouraging growth, it will relieve large-truck traffic along U.S. 42 through Warsaw created by industries along the Ohio River, and will provide a second exit to the speedway, which now must bring all traffic off I-71 at the Ky. 35 exit.

        “We have to grow,” the judge-executive said. “You have to accommodate the growth in your area or wither. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, we were in trouble here. We were not growing, and we had no money. Then we got some industry, like Gallatin Steel, and things began to change. They're still changing.”
       

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