Winchester business owners disagree after the city commission approves a new shopping center.

Business owners say the money for the workplace could be better spent on first responder salaries and capital improvements

WINCHESTER, Ky (WTVQ)- Chad Walker and his wife own Motor House Pizza & Pub in downtown Winchester.
Walker is one of a group of business owners in opposition after the City Commission voted to change the city’s Open Main Street director position to marketing and events coordinator.

Winchester withdrew from the Kentucky Main Street program earlier this year, according to city leaders.
Commissioners approved the transition in a 3-1 vote, with one abstention.

“The city said, ‘Well, we’re trying to help downtown, but in the end, $50,000 is going to go with downtown, which is supposed to only benefit one person,'” Walker says.

According to city leaders, the salary for the proposed position is $50,000. No one has been hired for the position yet.

However, business owners say the money can be put to better use because they spend their own money in advance to market and promote their business. First responders say they want to see the money go to salaries and improve downtown infrastructure.

“You take that money and put it toward capital improvements and instead of doing what the city knows best, you stand back and support the businesses,” says Adam Kidd, COO of Dam Holdings LLC.

There are those who welcome the change.

“We have a lot of things. So we all need someone to help us stay together. Our community needs a liaison person who can be a central focus to make sure we know what everyone is doing,” says Winchester First Board Member Peggy McCallister.

Some say they volunteered their own money and time to coordinate events without the designation. But those volunteers are too busy to do the work full time.

“I know I was one of the many who tried to volunteer. And it takes a lot of time and energy and it’s very difficult to put the cats in a box, so to speak,” said another business owner.

Business owners say they have submitted a petition with nearly 300 signatures from people who say they oppose the change, but it has been ignored. Now they hope to work with the commission to help their downtown continue to grow and improve.