Paris,
Kentucky
is the seat of
Bourbon
County, first settled in 1776. Originally known as Hopewell, the
town's name soon changed to Paris in appreciation for French aid during
the Revolutionary War. Established in 1785, citizens named the county
Bourbon, after the French ruling house of that time.
Census
2000 data shows the population for Paris, KY as 9,183. Median
household income for the same period was $30,872 and per capita income
stood at $16,645. Paris, in the physical center of Bourbon County, is
the hub for retail activity and entertainment.
Over 85% of the retail businesses are in the Paris city limits. Most
of those are in the Main Street area of town in authentic refurbished
100-year-old storefronts. In recent years, the Kentucky
Main Street Program and Renaissance
Kentucky helped Paris to make many improvements to its downtown
area. These include brick-lined sidewalks, antique-looking light poles,
decorative planters and benches, awnings and facade updates. The Governor's
Office for Local Development (GOLD) administers the Renaissance/Main
Street Program, called Renaissance on Main. GOLD seeks to reward
communities that take steps to revitalize and maintain vibrant,
economically sound development in Kentucky's downtown areas. Paris has
taken full advantage of these programs and residents are quick to point
out the local Paris/Bourbon
Chamber of Commerce as a guiding light in the revitalization of the
town.
The overnight accommodations in Paris, KY have that delightful
country charm other areas strive to create. In Paris, it seems natural
and not contrived, as their abundance of Bed
and Breakfast businesses show. Typical of the B & B's found in
Paris is the Country
Charm. This delightful inn rests on laid-back acreage over a working
farm in Kentucky's fabled Central
Bluegrass Country. Unlike many B&B's,
they have the Shady
Brook Golf Course within a brisk morning's walk of their front
porch.
Outside the city limits of Paris, KY, residents enjoy an entirely
different look at rural life. This view is one dominated by agriculture,
with special attention on the raising of horses.
Residents of Paris and the surrounding county enjoy strong employment
opportunities from retail, manufacturing and agribusiness. Agribusiness
is not only the chief employer in and around Paris, but raising
horses has put this area on the map as one of the top five producers
of agro-income in the state of Kentucky. In the year 2000, Paris/Bourbon
County contributed $156 million toward the state's total cash receipts
from livestock sales.
Paris,
Kentucky has its own self-governing Board
of Education and school infrastructure. Paris creates its own
independent community as distinct and colorful as the county and state
that surrounds it. Visiting Kentucky, then Bourbon County and lastly,
Paris, would be like touring three separate and distinctive venues
wrapped up in one, each as enjoyable as the next.
