Kick-Start Meetings

City of Paducah Kick-Start Meetings - Your Project, Our PriorityKickstart guide graphic

The goal of the Kick-Start Meeting is to provide a pre-application review of your potential project.  Our team is here to provide helpful information, feedback, and guidance as you prepare to launch your contemplated project.  A Kick-Start Meeting is an opportunity to meet with key City staff members from various departments prior to the preparation and submittal of a formal application to the City.  At a Kick-Start Meeting, you will be introduced to a Customer Experience Representative who will act as your liaison and point of contact throughout your journey. 

Quick Guide to Permitting and Kick-Start Meetings (2 pages)

Projects that typically benefit from a Kick-Start Meeting include

  • Major subdivision projects
  • Projects that create or change public right-of-way
  • Apartment building projects
  • New builds or renovations in Downtown or Lower Town Paducah
  • Projects that impact historic buildings (pre-1960)
  • Projects that incur major stormwater considerations
  • Projects undertaken by non-local developers and entrepreneurs
  • Projects that do not have engineer or architect oversight
  • Commercial Site Developments
  • Change of Use Projects

Time & Location

Kick-Start Meetings are scheduled every other Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Team Room on the first floor at City Hall (300 South 5th Street).

Scheduling a Kick-Start Meeting

To schedule a meeting, fill out the KICK-START MEETING REQUEST FORM AND QUESTIONNAIRE to the best of your ability and send to customerexp@paducahky.gov.  A representative will contact you to schedule a meeting.  Customer Experience Representatives can be reached at 270-444-8800 if you have questions.

The project does not need to be finalized, but please provide as much information in the Meeting Request Form and at the Kick-Start Meeting as possible.  Bring any plans, drawings, or applicable information that you have available to your Kick-Start Meeting.

Who Should Attend a Kick-Start Meeting?

All key players in your project should attend the meeting.  This usually includes the owners, developers, contractors, engineers and architects who are working on the project. 

Which City Staff Members Attend Kick-Start Meetings?

The staff members in attendance vary slightly based on availability and the project’s scope.  A Customer Experience Representative will help determine and schedule the appropriate staff members to attend the Kick-Start Meeting. A typical meeting consists of the following staff members:

  • Building Inspector
  • Electrical Inspector
  • Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention
  • Director of Planning
  • Planner I
  • City Engineer & Public Works Director
  • Customer Experience Representative
  • Deputy Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator
NOTE: Information provided by staff at the Kick-Start Meeting is based upon the information provided; any change may alter the guidance provided. Call early and call often so we can navigate changes together.

Testimonials

Chad Beyer, i5 Design Group
At i5 we have had a great working relationship with City of Paducah for over 15 years; the addition of kick-start meetings has been a game changer in navigating the permit and compliance process.  To have the opportunity to discuss and plan a project with all departments present, and to leave that discussion with expectations established and a plan that leads to project success is invaluable….truly a “kick-start” in the right direction.
Kick-Start Meeting Date: December 14, 2019

 

Skylar Lofton, Lofton Properties
Infinite information for entrepreneurs.
Kick-Start Meeting Date: January 15, 2020

 

Doug Truitt, Kaleo Technologies
Kalleo Technologies would like to express its appreciation of the Customer Experience Department specifically the Kickstart meeting program. Moving a business is always a lot of work and difficult especially the process of interfacing with various government agencies. The Kickstart program dramatically simplified and sped up the process of obtaining inspections and permits. The Kickstart Meeting program was a great success for us and is a great addition to Paducah city government.
Kick-Start Meeting Date: April 15, 2020

 

Andiamo White, Entrepreneur
Great experience.  Everyone helped kick-start my business.
Kick-Start Meeting Date: July 1, 2020

 

Scope My Project Online Portals

Paducah has launched Scope My Project, online tools centered around business development and project scoping.  The portals will help guide citizens, entrepreneurs, developers, contractors, and business owners who are embarking on complex projects, such scope my project logoa starting a new business or a renovation project, through the City’s permitting requirements.  These tools are designed to increase communication, enhance availability, and eliminate confusion.

Zoning Portal:  The Zoning Portal allows users to explore where different business types are permitted throughout Paducah. 

Business Permitting Portal:  The Business Permitting Portal, a project scoping tool, guides the user to specific license, permits, and requirements for constructing, renovating, and developing a business in Paducah.  After answering the questions, a summary specific to the project can be downloaded.  This summary will include zoning information, permits needed, and a preliminary estimate of permit fees.

The portals also include links to contact City staff, set up a kick-start meeting, and an opportunity to create a free account to save project information and start the application process.

Scope My Project - Paducah's Online Business Development Tool

These portals will eliminate surprises and increase efficiencies by improving communications between community investors and the City government.  Our goal is to turn business dreams into realities.