Community discussion focuses on workforce, job creation, quality of place
Meade County-Brandenburg Economic Development (MCBED) and the Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce (MCACC) hosted a group of area community and business leaders at “Shaping the Future of Meade County.”
Attendees discussed the findings of a new study that identifies three priority strategies for the county’s economic diversification – business attraction and retention, strengthening entrepreneurship, and talent attraction, retention and development.
The departure of Third Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division from Fort Knox triggered the study. Funded by the federal Office of Economic Adjustment and administered by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, the study is part of an effort to help local communities maintain economic diversity and health as military installation activity rises and falls.
The discussion resulted in the establishment of a new advisory committee that will oversee efforts to diversify and grow the Meade County economy. Committee members include Carl Austin of Austin Enterprises, Marty Littrel of Meade County RECC, Megan Stith of United Way of Central Kentucky, Yvonne Coppage of All About Homes and Gary Chapman of The Cecilian Bank.
“Meade County has a lot going for it, and we benefit greatly from our proximity to Fort Knox, but to secure a bright future for our community, we have to work together to set the stage for new economic opportunities,” said MCBED Director of Recruitment & Retention Bill Corum.
Community leaders discussed job creation, talent retention and attraction and quality of place. They cited multiple positive Meade County attributes, from Gigabit Internet capabilities to Meade County Schools’ expansion of technical education programs to enhancements at Buttermilk Falls Trail and the Meade Activity Center. Other opportunities and initiatives discussed included improvements on Main Street in Brandenburg and at the riverfront.
“The new study is a valuable asset for our community, and we want it to lead to positive action,” said MCACC Executive Director Carole Logsdon. “Forming such a high-caliber committee to help us further develop our quality of place and our available workforce is a critical first step.”
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About Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce: MCACC works to promote the development of new and expanded business, improve and promote the local community, create and maintain a business climate in which Meade County area businesses can operate at the highest possible levels and to identify public issues important to the local business climate.
About Meade County-Brandenburg Economic Development: MCBED is led by civic-minded board members who have established solid economic development objectives for the Meade County-Brandenburg area. The primary goals of the organization are to create new employment opportunities and to support existing businesses.
