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Kentucky Association for Economic Development Annual
Conference Held in Bowling Green
Conference Hosted by Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and South Central
Kentucky Economic Development Partnership
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270.781.3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY (November 16, 2009)-The Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED), the
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Central Kentucky Economic
Development Partnership hosted last week's annual KAED Conference in Bowling
Green at Sloan Convention Center.
More than 100 economic development professionals and local, state and federal
officials, including U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie, participated in the
conference, which fostered conversations regarding the growth of economic
development in the Commonwealth.
"Thanks to the hospitality of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
and the South Central Kentucky Economic Development Partnership, the KAED
conference was a great success this year. We're grateful for their support, as
well as the support of our sponsors," said Mike Mangeot, KAED president
and CEO.
Sponsored by Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLC, the conference featured
presentations by nationally recognized site selectors Richard Eads of ADP Tax
Credit Services, Jonathan Sangster of CB Richard Ellis and Don Schjeldahl of
Austin Consulting. Each site selector spoke on the current climate for economic
development in Kentucky, including new investment opportunities in energy and
Kentucky's new economic development incentives.
The conference included the following award presentations during lunch on
Thursday, November 12:
- Jody A. Lassiter of Danville/Boyle
County Economic Development Partnership was the winner of the James J.
Coleman Community Professional of the Year Award presented by East
Kentucky Power. The award recognizes economic development
practitioners who have made significant and/or innovative contributions to
the field and their service area during the past year.
- James O. Martin of Tennessee Valley
Authority was the winner of the KAED Allied Professional of the Year
Award. This award recognizes an individual from the utility, job
training, construction, education, government and research areas who has
made significant contributions to economic development.
- Kimberly J. Solsbury of Commerce
Lexington was the winner of the James Norris Gray Award for Professional
Development. This award recognizes those economic developers who
strive to keep abreast of the ever-changing field of economic development.
At Thursday evening's banquet, KAED formally inducted Jerry Rickett, president
& CEO of the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, and Marvin E.
"Gene" Strong, former secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic
Development, into the Kentucky Economic Development Hall of Fame.
"We were proud to honor all our award recipients during the conference,
and our speakers' presentations were informative as to how our state's economic
development professionals can continue to market their locations to businesses
across the nation and the world," said Mangeot.
"The KAED Conference gave the Chamber and our South Central Kentucky
partnership an opportunity to highlight the assets of our community, as well as
a chance to connect with our peers in the economic development industry,"
said Chamber President and CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD. "We thank KAED and
everyone who attended the conference for visiting our fine city."
The conference ended on Friday, November 13th, with presentations by U.S.
Congressman Brett Guthrie, who gave an update regarding happenings in
Washington, D.C., and a presentation by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic
Development
"The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce was proud to host the KAED
conference this year, and we appreciate everyone's attendance," said Todd
Davis, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. "We also thank our
generous sponsors for making the event a success."
About KAEDKAED
was founded in 1967 to promote economic development and growth in
Kentucky. KAED members work together on a local, regional and
statewide basis to improve the quality of life for every Kentuckian.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of
CommerceIncorporated
in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the 2009
Chamber of the Year, as named by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.
The Chamber was honored with 5-Star Accreditation in 2009, the highest honor
bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As the fourth largest chamber in
Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than
1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central
Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business
community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries
alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational
initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the
community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and
continue to grow the region.
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