The chief operating officer of the Blue Grass Stockyards is expecting a thorough cleanup of fire debris at the Lexington site to begin in earnest very soon. Jim Akers appeared before the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday to discuss the massive blaze that destroyed the 70 year old livestock auction complex in late January.
Akers says he met with fire officials on Tuesday who said the investigation was complete. “My understanding is that Thursday morning all of the insurance companies potentially involved in claims are going to be given an opportunity to come on site and meet with ATF and city investigators to make sure everybody has what they feel they need out of the investigation,” said Akers.
Akers says he now understands how important it is for people involved in agriculture to feel a part of the recovery, the cleanup, and the plans for the future. He says a decision of where to rebuild be announced in the very near future. “I feel like very shortly, and very shortly in our word is days not weeks or months, we’ll be announcing our intentions and plans,” Akers explained.
In a show of support for the Stockyards, members of the entire ag committee posed for a picture with Akers in the Frankfort committee room.?
