SWK EDC ANNOUNCES “GR2W” INITIATIVE

02/24/2021

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The South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council (SWK EDC) is excited to announce the “GR2W” initiative which is a comprehensive effort to ensure that SWK communities are “getting ready to win” by focusing on infrastructure, workforce, quality of life, and product development. 

Carter Hendricks, Executive Director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, shared, “This initiative represents a reinvigorated focus on the principles of sound economic development that our local governments and strategic partners can control and/or influence.  These principles include making wise decisions to invest in infrastructure that promotes growth, investing in quality of life improvements that attract new residents and workers, partnering on innovative workforce initiatives, and continuing to invest in developing land and sites for industrial and economic development.”

Specific activities planned for 2021 include:

  • Offering economic development training for local officials through a partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
  • Applying for grants to help develop sites for industrial and economic development such as the I-24 Business Park’s pad ready site in Trigg County, enhancements to Christian County’s Commerce Park I, and to initiate development of a new industrial site in Todd County. 
  • Developing robust workforce pipelines through K-12, higher education, Fort Campbell, and more.
  • Continuing to update current site inventory ensuring information is accurate, current, and marketed properly.
  • Working with strategic partners to plan infrastructure development with future economic growth and development in mind.
  • Continuing to update the SWK website and social media platforms to ensure the region’s information, communities, and sites are marketed properly.
  • Supporting efforts to continuously improve quality of life.
  • Visiting existing industries as part of a Business and Retention program to understand the current needs of industries as well as their future needs.
  • Traveling to attend tradeshows, company visits, and conferences to recruit new industries while supporting existing businesses.

With a goal of creating 5,000 new jobs and $1 Billion in investment in the region in the next five years, the SWK EDC is committed to helping the region win and realizes that the key to success is the region’s vision, teamwork, organization and preparedness.  For more information on this release, the SWK EDC, the region, and available sites, please contact 270-885-1499 or visit www.southwesternky.com.