MANCHESTER, Ky. (LEX 18) — Vice President Mike Pence returned to Kentucky Thursday to visit Manchester, which has a population of less than 2,000.
Air Force Two landed in London, Kentucky, around 11 a.m. Thursday.
Vice President has landed. @GovMattBevin and Rep. Hal Rogers are here to greet him. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/GCF8W5I2Qg
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) August 8, 2019
Officials say that the Hal Rogers Parkway will be closed from London to the Manchester exit during Pence's visit. The road from the Hal Rogers Parkway to Eastern Kentucky University's Manchester campus will also be shut down to all traffic until he departs.
The trip was only scheduled recently, but the town is buzzing with excitement as police make last-minute preparations.
"I think it's one of the biggest things to happen to Manchester. It let's the people be reminded that politicians do care about them. They wanna hear our concerns and problems," said Assistant Clay County Attorney Richard Couch.
The problems they are concerned about include the lack of jobs in the region and the opioid epidemic. Pence will specifically address the opioid epidemic Thursday.
"Any time a group of people lose hope, then it's easier to revert to opioid abuse," said Couch.
Judge Executive Johnny Johnson believes the solution is jobs. He said that an industrial park site is sitting, and ready, for a factory in the county,
The event is invitation only and closed to the general public. Those going will need to be inside the Manchester Campus Building before 11:30 a.m.
Governor Matt Bevin, Congressman Hal Rogers, and the Secretary of the Department of Health and HUman Services will also be in Manchester.
