More businesses are headed to Ashland.

Commercial development realtor David Babel told a crowd of almost 200 last Thursday morning that residents should see work starting this summer on the acreage on the east side of Highway 63 owned by the C.L. Richardson family.

Adam and Bailey Standberry, owners of Magic Car Wash, left, were honored as Business of the Year by the City of Ashland and Journal publisher Bruce Wallace was honored with the 2018 Eagle Award by the Southern Boone Economic Development Council during Thursday’s breakfast meeting.

The announcement came during the annual Southern Boone Economic Development Council-Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leaders breakfast meeting.

“Streets will be going in this summer,” Babel told the larger-than-expected crowd. “We have two large lots under contract and have interest in two others. In addition,” Babel said, “we have three other businesses ready to sign a contract.”

Babel did not indicate what the businesses were or even what type of business was coming to town, but the confirmation of what has been whispered about for months was enough to excite the audience.

“We are very excited about that announcement,” said Southern Boone Chamber President Ann Colgrove. “We are excited for the growth and opportunities coming to Ashland.”

~ Read more in today’s Journal ~

By Bruce Wallace