by Aaron W. Hughey

Senator Robert L. “Bob” Jackson is certainly a friend to Murray-Calloway County.

Jackson has been a strong advocate for economic development, creating new and higher-paying jobs. Raising our standard of living through increased economic development requires good planning. It seeks to protect and preserve the unique quality of life in the region while managing the changes that are bound to occur.

Jackson is a believer in the importance of local and regional planning because it directly impacts legislative efforts.

“This is what they are looking for in Frankfort and Washington,” Jackson explains. “It gets everyone in the same boat, rowing in the same direction.”

Jackson has also been very involved in the Murray Main Street Program, which recently received a grant of $640,000.
“This is a major amount of money,” Jackson observes. “The Governor is extremely proud of what we have done.”

“We negotiated and lobbied hard to make sure we got our fair share,” Jackson continues. “It’s easy to help the counties that help themselves.”

Jackson has also helped Murray State University secure state funding for major campus projects, including the construction of a new alumni affairs center and emergency plumbing repairs to Hart College, as well as the new $30,000,000 Science Building Complex.

“We were able to fast-track both of these projects,” Jackson notes. “It’s great news for the university, this community, and the entire region.”

Jackson, a graduate of Murray State University, is a founding member of Habitat for Humanity and has served on the Democratic National Committee.

Jackson is the State Senator for Senate District 1, which includes Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman and Trigg counties. As part of his Senatorial responsibilities, he serves on the Banking and Insurance Committee, the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, the Labor and Industry Committee, the Licensing and Occupations Committee, and is a member of the Tobacco Task Force.

Jackson is a past Board Member and President of the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Murray Planning Commission. He was named one of the Kentucky Leaders for a New Century in 1999..