Officials delay groundbreaking for Bluegrass Music Center

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) – A groundbreaking ceremony for the International Bluegrass Music Center in western Kentucky has been delayed until next year.

Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne told the Messenger-Inquirer (http://bit.ly/1OKxtdd) that the event, which had been scheduled for this month, was pushed back primarily because officials are still working on the final stages of a downtown tax increment finance district, which will bring state incentives. City officials have noted the importance of getting preliminary approval for the TIF before construction begins.

Payne said preliminary approval of the TIF could come by Dec. 10.

The bluegrass center is a joint venture of the city and the International Bluegrass Music Museum board, though county officials and the state have committed to helping with funding.

Plans for the new center include a 500-seat concert hall.

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Information from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, http://www.messenger-inquirer.com

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.