Spring Travel Review: One East Kentucky CEO Meets with Key Industry Decision-Makers

Business attraction is one of the key goals of One East Kentucky. The region has a strong workforce and ample natural resources in a key location in the United States – it just needs someone to promote this hidden gem. Colby Kirk, President and CEO of One East Kentucky, attended multiple trade shows and events to introduce the region to site selectors and business leaders in key industries.

“It’s important to actively attend events and recruit companies to Eastern Kentucky,” says Kirk. “Business leaders decide to move or expand their operations two to five years before they actually relocate. Someone you meet with today could create 50 or 500 jobs in a few years. We’re trying to maintain a steady pipeline of activity.”

One East Kentucky continues to work with Research FDI to generate warm leads for companies looking to move. Here are a few events Kirk attended this spring and why they are valuable.  

Verticon: The World’s Largest Vertical Aviation Conference

More than 14,000 attendees traveled to Dallas, Texas, in March to attend Verticon, an aviation conference and trade show. Nearly 90 countries were represented, and 44 aircraft were on display as attendees discussed the future of air travel.

Aerospace is already an important industry in Kentucky, and this conference allowed Kirk to reinforce that message while also learning about potential trends that could affect manufacturing and production in the future.  

“The workforce skills found in our region are transferable to metal-fabricated parts,” says Kirk. “It’s important to meet with relocating companies or growing businesses to highlight our workforce.”

Eastern Kentucky is home to 75 primary aerospace firms within a four-hour drive, making this region a hub for plane and helicopter manufacturing. This includes a helicopter repair business and a company that paints fixed-wing aircraft. 

International Mass Timber Conference

Wood product development is another important industry in Kentucky, which is why Kirk also traveled to the International Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon. Eastern Kentucky is often sought out by companies that need raw materials, but Kirk sees potential in recruiting companies to turn these materials into finished products.  

“There’s a lot of opportunity in Central Appalachia for mass timber production,” he says. “We have a hardwood forest that covers hundreds of thousands of acres, and we can develop factories and manufacturing facilities directly within the region.”

Companies that turn their raw materials into finished products within Eastern Kentucky can reduce costs by centralizing production. This also creates more opportunities for materials companies to sell their products closer to home. 

Southern Economic Development Council Site Selection Summit

Kirk finished his spring travel with the SEDC Site Selection Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. This was an invaluable opportunity to meet directly with site selectors and consultants who work on projects from across the country. There were multiple discussions on the state of economic development and how politics, current events, and financial indicators affect decision makers.

The team at One East Kentucky has seen an uptick in proposal requests, but they aren’t necessarily seeing more decisions being made. Many companies are exploring their options but waiting until they feel confident enough to make a decision. Kirk has a message for any company worried about the economy while also planning for the future.

“Our goal is to reduce risk, reduce time to market, and reduce operating costs,” he says. “We are still committed to doing our part and will focus on what is in our control. If we can help you find a low-cost site, tap into the local workforce, and reduce permitting and building costs, we will do everything we can.”

Conversations Can Lead to One Deal

Kirk speaks with hundreds of people during his travels, all with the goal of promoting Eastern Kentucky. He is strategic about who he meets with, but is also open to talking to anyone interested in the region. Each discussion brings companies closer to choosing Eastern Kentucky as more people learn about this valuable part of the country.

Learn more about the partners preparing Eastern Kentucky for a brighter future. Explore the colleges and universities in the region and see which industries are already thriving here. There’s room for additional investment in Eastern Kentucky, and we can’t wait to welcome you home.