KLC Joins KET Economic Development Forum

KET will air a town hall-style discussion about how cities and counties are strengthening communities through economic development in Building Opportunities: A KET Forum, hosted by Moderator Renee Shaw. The program will premiere on Monday, Dec. 12, at 8 PM ET. KET will broadcast it statewide and repeat it several times on KETKY. KLC Executive Director|CEO James D. Chaney will participate as a panelist on the program, and several Kentucky mayors will be in the studio audience.

The forum will highlight the foundational work of getting “shovel ready”; what opportunities are available to smaller, rural communities; what attracts talent/workforce to relocate or remain; and other factors related to economic development for Kentucky’s cities and regions.

Kentucky has seen a recent influx of economic development announcements. Kentucky has attracted several new businesses and industries in addition to existing business capital investments and expansions.

The 2022 Site Selection Magazine ranked Kentucky 6th in the Prosperity Cup, and four organizations in the state received the 2022 Mac Conway Award for contributing significantly to investment attraction and job creation. They include the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Elizabethtown Hardin County Industrial Foundation, Louisville Forward/Greater Louisville Inc., and REDI Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky TRI-ED. All have worked tirelessly to bring projects large and small to their communities.

KET taped the program before a live studio audience comprised of economic development professionals, business, community and civic leaders, and officials from across the state.

Mayors attending the taping included KLC Immediate Past President and Versailles Mayor Brian Traugott, KLC Board Member and Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton, Hodgenville Mayor Jim Phelps, Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves, and KLC Board Member and Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley.