One East Kentucky President, Colby Kirk, Meets With 60+ Businesses This Year in Recruitment Push

One of One East Kentucky's primary goals is to attract new businesses to the region, and one of the best ways to do that is to meet directly with companies that are looking to relocate. Colby Kirk, President of One East Kentucky, has led 10 different recruiting missions this year and met with more than 60 companies to discuss the merits of doing business in Eastern Kentucky.

“We’re not just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring,” says Kirk. “We’re being strategic in who we approach and how we promote Eastern Kentucky.”  

Not only is One East Kentucky strategic in how it approaches companies, but the organization also has detailed ideas about who to approach. While any business is welcome in Eastern Kentucky, there are a few targeted sectors that have expanded into the region and thrived. Learn more about the targeted sectors and how Kirk and his team are working to bring them here. 

Recruitment Starts with Lead Generation

One East Kentucky targets a specific audience during Kirk’s travels. The organization meets with companies that have active expansion plans or strong desires to relocate. To save time, Kirk and his team contract with Research FDI, an investment attraction agency based in Montreal, Canada. Research FDI provides One East Kentucky with a number of leads each year, and Kirk and his team meet with those potential companies to discuss the advantages of Eastern Kentucky as a business location.

The partnership with Research FDI is already paying off. This organization was instrumental in bringing Dajcor Aluminum to Perry County, Kentucky, which has added more than 100 jobs to the region. 

Kirk Moves Leads Through the Sales Funnel With In-Person Meetings

Once Research FDI has a pool of leads to meet with, Kirk steps in to nurture them. He travels throughout the year to various trade shows and geographic markets. During this time, he highlights the value of moving a business to Eastern Kentucky from both strategic and financial perspectives.

“It may take 100 meetings to bring a business to the region, but it’s worth it if that business creates good-paying jobs in our communities,” says Kirk. A single company that moves to Eastern Kentucky, like the recent expansion of Infinity Design & Construction, can have a decades-long impact on the people it hires and the community it operates in.  

In 2024, Kirk traveled to Chicago, Denver, New York, Detroit, and Seoul, South Korea. His primary focus was attending trade shows related to manufacturing, the automotive industry, and battery technology.

Recruitment can be a slow process. While some companies want to move immediately, others have three or five-year expansion plans. Meeting on-site or at a trade show is valuable for staying top-of-mind as companies decide where to move. 

A Single Meeting Can Kick Off a Lasting Partnership

Meeting Kirk in person is an important part of the business recruiting process. When companies choose Eastern Kentucky, they will work alongside Kirk and his team throughout the expansion process. Even after the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremonies are complete, Kirk will stay in contact with the companies that move here to ensure they have everything they need to thrive.

“Any time they need help, we’re only a phone call away,” says Kirk. “This could mean helping companies find workforce development partners or connecting them with potential vendors. Christi Brown, the Existing Industry Liaison for One East Kentucky, works with companies across the region and helps address their business needs.”

Kirk isn’t just attending trade shows and having recruiting meetings with companies, he is actively building relationships that can last for years. His presence at these events showcases two things: that Eastern Kentucky is a great place to do business and the local economic development representatives will work tirelessly to help their regional companies grow.

Support One East Kentucky in its Mission to Grow the Region

One East Kentucky represents nine counties and is run by people who grew up in the region. Kirk has a dedicated staff who supports him and a board of directors that guides him throughout the year. However, this economic development organization is also strong because of support from the local community. Both financial and strategic buy-in help One East Kentucky succeed in its recruitment goals. Together, we can build a stronger and more resilient economy in Eastern Kentucky.

Consider becoming an investor in One East Kentucky. You can also follow us on Facebook to watch Eastern Kentucky grow.