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By Chad Hedrick
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A group has started a fundraising campaign as they continue to push their concerns over a resort development for the Red River Gorge.
The proposal was first discussed nearly three years ago, and includes a restaurant, distillery and room for live performances.
They are looking for $60,000 to fund studies on any environmental impacts the development would cause in the area. Developers said the nearly 900-acre site would bring 500 jobs to the area.
“We want to see the locals have opportunities to expand their businesses and bring more clientele for their businesses,” said Elmer Whitaker with Red River Economic Development. That was in 2020, when plans for the resort were announced.
It’s set to go up right off the Slade exit of the Mountain Parkway, but not everyone is completely on board with the plans.
“We’re not against development, we’re not against economic development, we’re not against business. We’re very much for business. But only business that’s done in a sustainable way,” said Dan Shields with Red River Gorge United.
Red River Gorge United sent a call for donations Tuesday, saying the money would “expand its efforts to stop a development that threatens the beauty and enjoyment of this world-renown ecological resource.”
The co-founder of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo said in a statement, “it’s a slippery slope that risks turning the area into the next Gatlinburg.”
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