Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA)

It was great to see our friend and Brown-Forman Vice President Les Fugate last week before he presented at the monthly Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. We had the opportunity to share many of the great things happening in The Capital of Lake Cumberland and present him with a bottle of Somerset's own Horse Soldier Bourbon to add to his collection. #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #thecapitaloflakecumberland

Our doors are always open to local and regional military recruiters. We enjoyed speaking recently with Somerset Recruiting Station Recruiters SSG Tyler Stone, middle, and SSG Cody Deese, right, who are building the military workforce of the future. SPEDA fully supports their efforts, as we believe serving in the United States military is an excellent educational and workforce development opportunity for our people. #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #makingbusinessaboutpeople

New year, new installments of our SPEDA Entrepreneur Series! Stay tuned for the release of two new videos that tell the incredible stories of a young and thriving business dedicated to shining a light in our community, Somerset Candle, and a mainstay in the local restaurant scene, Frisch’s Big Boy Somerset. #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #spedaentrepreneurseries

We were honored to host and participate in a media roundtable in Somerset last week for Dependable Power First Kentucky, a non-partisan coalition that promotes a reliable, resilient, and affordable electricity supply for Kentucky. SPEDA is a member of this coalition, which believes in harnessing the best features of all power sources that have long supported Kentucky communities. DPF Kentucky is doing vital work to raise awareness about the need for dependable power across the Commonwealth. During the roundtable, SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler highlighted its importance for economic development and quality of life: "One of the most, if not the most, important issues for quality of life and quality of place is dependable power. A lot of us take it for granted. We don't even think about it until we don't have it. And I would compare that to public safety. We could recruit all the wonderful companies and things of that nature to this community that everybody asked for, but if there is no community of public safety, a lot that is for naught. It's the same thing with dependable power. We could recruit a tremendous amount of industry, manufacturing, commercial and retail opportunities, great schools, if we don't have dependable power for those particular institutions, then again, it's all for naught. So that's why we're honored to be a part of this. We appreciate this organization leading the way in this very important discussion. ... This is too important of an issue that will impact generations to come." We are grateful to have a seat at the table to discuss this critical issue and look forward to working with DPF Kentucky to ensure dependable power for our community, region and state. #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #thecapitaloflakecumberland

SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler met recently with local members of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary organization for women educators with the mission of building educational excellence, altruism and world understanding through fellowship. Girdler shared SPEDA's mission with the group and emphasized the importance of education as integral to the community's workforce development and overall success. #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #makingbusinessaboutpeople

ONE WEEK LEFT >> The SPEDA mini-grant application deadline is approaching quickly! Our mini-grant program is an excellent resource for anyone looking for financial support to make a new business idea happen. SPEDA awards four $2,500 mini-grants each year to the best proposals for innovation and growth. Applications must be received no later than 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gSX3Rk3T #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #makingbusinessaboutpeople

It was an honor to present Toyotetsu North America Inc. President Kazusei Miwa with a bottle of Horse Soldier Bourbon during his recent visit to the Somerset facility from Japan. We are so grateful to Mr. Miwa and Donnie Slagle, TTAI vice president of administration (left), for TTAI's investment and engagement in Somerset-Pulaski County and the tremendous impact this company has on our workforce and economy. #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #makingbusinessaboutpeople

Always great to catch up with State Auditor Allison Ball when she's visiting Somerset-Pulaski County. We are grateful to her for taking the time to come by SPEDA's office and talk about all the great things happening in the Lake Cumberland region and across the Commonwealth! #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #makingbusinessaboutpeople

Investments in the manufacturing sector are expected to soar in the coming years. If all goes as expected, employers could face a significant challenge: a tight labor market. That’s why programs like Kentucky FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) are critical and why FAME USA National Director Tony Davis takes every opportunity to speak to groups like the one gathered Monday at Somerset Community College's Valley Oak Campus. Davis applauded the work of the Kentucky FAME Cumberlands Chapter and emphasized the importance of workforce development and the need for skilled technicians. Read more about Davis's presentation at the SPEDA Industrial Leaders Breakfast: https://lnkd.in/gxrh_7Uc #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #makingbusinessaboutpeople

Like the member who preceded her, the newest SPEDA board appointee brings a unique blend of education and entrepreneurship to the table, making her an ideal fit for an organization with a holistic approach to economic development. Sarah Burnett, vice principal at Hopkins Elementary and co-owner of Burnett Farms Produce with her husband, began her four-year term on SPEDA’s board of directors Thursday at its February meeting. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gj8F3FMM #somersetleads #PulaskiProud #makingbusinessaboutpeople