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Energy Resilience Matters

August 20, 2020 By krda

Since my retirement from the Army in December 2017, I have had the privilege of leading the Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) - a community-based non-profit organization with a mission of protecting and promoting Fort Knox to increase its economic impact. Each and every day our team works to showcase the many attributes that make Fort Knox a premier military installation with a first-class defense community. With nearly three years as KRDA’s CEO under my belt, I’ve seen firsthand how factors like energy resilience set installations and defense communities apart from others.

Energy Resilience Matters. The Department of Defense (DOD) is reliant on civilian electrical grids to power installations, which are susceptible to weather events and physical or cyber attacks. The ability of an installation to limit its reliance on the civilian network or completely generate its own power provides for continuity of operations. This resilience can come in the form of alternate forms of energy, the installation being a micro grid of the larger electrical grid, or a combination of the two. The Navy at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport has partnered with local energy providers to establish a solar system; micro grids have been used at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts and Subbase New London in Connecticut and a few other places. While these are steps in the right direction, the unique capabilities at Fort Knox make it the best energy program in all of DOD.

Defining Energy Resilience. Energy security and energy resilience are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Energy security is ensuring an installation has reliable, protected access to energy in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of its various missions. Energy resilience takes it a step further ensuring that in the event of disruptions in commercial energy services, the installation can continue to provide reliable sufficient energy for its missions. Those potential disruptions could be natural or man-made (by bad actors). In Fort Knox’s case, it was a natural disruption - a 2009 ice storm that left the installation without power for several days - that fueled the post’s leadership toward energy independence.

Becoming an Energy Island. Like several other military installations, Fort Knox is on its own microgrid. While it is still connected and powered by the main grid, being on a separate microgrid allows the installation to operate as a separate energy island. Having alternative energy sources to fuel the microgrid in the event of the disruption is what determines resiliency and sets Fort Knox apart from all others. Early guidance required that Army installations be capable of powering critical missions for a minimum of 14 days in the event of a disruption; current guidance leaves it to the discretion of the post commanding general; Fort Knox is working towards one year.

While several installations are working toward the 14-day standard, few have realized that capability like Fort Knox has. Thanks to support from the Kentucky Congressional Delegation, Fort Knox is able to tap into the rich natural gas reserves on the installation to help fuel its back-up generators, and on at least two occasions, the installation has demonstrated its ability to operate completely independent from its commercial power provider. The micro grid, the ability to generate its own power, extensive use of geothermal heating and cooling and real-time facility monitoring truly puts Fort Knox in a class all by itself.

Fort Knox’s energy program is critical for the many missions taking place that have significant information technology needs. The installation’s energy independence also makes Fort Knox an ideal location for other missions with large data centers. Additionally, when there is a power disruption, the commercial energy providers can focus on critical needs outside the gate knowing Fort Knox is up and running. That makes for a good neighbor and Fort Knox couldn’t be a better one.

Next time, I’ll share more on how our community is being a good neighbor to Fort Knox. Until then here are some helpful links on the subject of energy resilience.

New Support Available for Military Spouses Seeking Employment in the Greater Knox Region

August 6, 2020 By krda

Soldiers sacrifice much for their country, but often overlooked is the sacrifice their families also make in the process. As new assignments require Soldiers to relocate, military spouses have a hard time maintaining a stable career. A recent survey found that military spouses have an unemployment rate almost four times higher than the national average, with nearly 80 percent of those surveyed stating they believe their status as a military spouse has had a negative impact on their career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of jobs are found through networking which puts relocated military spouses at a disadvantage as they seek employment compared to those with deeper roots in the community.

Just this past fall, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper asked governors and communities to expand assistance to military spouses. The Greater Fort Knox Region is doing just that. The Knox Regional Development Alliance in partnership with the Kentucky Career Centers – Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT), the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board (LTWDB) and Fort Knox, is excited to announce a new model of support designed to expand assistance to current and incoming military spouses seeking employment in our communities. This comprehensive, first-of-its-kind program is designed to help military spouses find valuable employment while connecting them with a strong network of professional contacts. It is our belief that through this new program we will fill gaps in regional employment, boost local revenue and create a heightened sense of community for our military families. As 635 Soldiers and their families move to our region this fall with the activation of the Army’s new V Corps, it is our hope that this program will help make the transition easier for these military spouses and the countless others who call Fort Knox home.

Current and incoming military spouses interested in the program can get started by visiting Greaterfortknox.com/jobs and answering a simple eight-question career survey outlining work history and career goals. That questionnaire is then forwarded to KCC-LT where participants will be matched with a professional career coach who is ready to evaluate their needs and begin providing no-cost employment support.

Experienced career coaches will aid military spouses in a variety of ways, such as sharing job leads, assisting with resumes and cover letter writing and connecting individuals to job training and licensing courses. With four Career Center locations throughout the region, as well as an interactive website complete with online training videos, access to support is available no matter where in the area military families choose to settle.

The final component of the new program addresses the importance of networking. In this step, military spouses will be matched with a volunteer community connector, who can help them build a professional network and expand their base of regional contacts. With this additional step, it is our hope that qualified military spouses new to the area will be given the same opportunities as those of us who are more established in our communities.

The details of the new model have been shared with Army Human Resources Command officials who have agreed to include the resource on military orders for any new Soldiers stationed at Fort Knox. This means military spouses can benefit from the assistance program before they arrive. We believe early access to this support will make military families’ transition to our communities go more smoothly and get them excited to be a part of our vibrant and caring region.

As we began drafting this model and reaching out to local citizens and organizations, we were met with an overwhelmingly positive response. When we contacted Cathy Doolin, Abound Credit Union, about pairing her up with a military spouse, her response exemplified this community. “I am so excited about this program and am looking forward to meeting with this lady, creating relationships and life long connections,” she said.

In 2018 the Greater Fort Knox Region was named a Great American Defense Community by the Association of Defense Communities, and we continue to live up to that title. We are a community dedicated to supporting each other, as well as the wonderful individuals and their families stationed at Fort Knox. We hope our military spouse assistance program demonstrates our values to those arriving in the area, and that this model may eventually become a new normal for military communities across the country.

Brig. Gen. (Ret) Jim Iacocca is the President and CEO and Beth Avey is the Vice President of the Knox Regional Development Alliance, a regional economic development agency committed to promoting and protecting Fort Knox. Brig. Gen. (Ret) Iacocca and Avey can be reached at jim@growknox.org and beth@growknox.org.

KRDA partnership offers job network for newcomers

July 31, 2020 By krda

Source: The News-Enterprise

The Knox Regional Development Alliance has entered a partnership with the state’s regional employment office to help military spouses discover job opportunities.

Described by KRDA as “a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive model in partnership,” the organization will be working with Kentucky Career Centers–Lincoln Trail along with the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board and Fort Knox.

While the post frequently has arrivals and departures of staff, its currently experiencing an influx of families relocating as part of the Army’s decision to establish its new V Corps headquarters at Fort Knox. More than 2,000 newcomers are expected as soldiers and others arrive with their families.

“Statistics say that upwards of 70 percent of job opportunities don’t come from a job board but rather from professional relationships that military spouses, being new to the community, typically don’t have,” KRDA CEO Jim Iacocca said. “We are tapping into our caring, supportive community to help our military spouses connect with organizations and people who may open the door to a new employment opportunity.”

Through this job partnership, the Career Center will oversee a three-step process which begins with a short questionnaire. From there, information gathered helps match participants with an experienced KCC-LT professional who will help with job search and training at no cost.

“Whether it’s training, career workshops or help finding employment, our career center team provides a one-stop-shop for any employment or training needs,” said Sherry Johnson of the Workforce Development Board, which oversees the KCC-LT. “Additionally, military spouses will be matched with a community connector who will help them grow their professional network, which can often open the door to new professional opportunities.”

KRDA has been involved in recruitment of the volunteer community connectors who will provide this added support and personalized. Iacocca, a retired Army brigadier general, said the community response was enthusiastic.

“As expected, the community response was immediate and overwhelming and we couldn’t be more grateful,” he said.

Iacocca shared details of the model with Army Human Resources Command officials who agreed to include the resource on military orders of any soldier coming to Fort Knox.

“This allows military spouses to access this support even before they arrive,” Iacocca said. “We appreciate HRC’s support as we work to be proactive in our support to military families.”

Melinda Roberts, Fort Knox’s chief of Army Community Services, praised the community for partnering with Fort Knox ACS to develop this comprehensive model of support to help military spouses find employment.

“We always are looking for new and innovative ways to tap into community resources and think this new model could become an Army best practice,” Roberts said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have great community partners who want to help us do the very best we can for our Army families.”

Iacocca encouraged all military spouses looking for employment or training opportunities to go to greaterfortknox.com/jobs to learn more and tap into these resources.

Leadership Message

July 10, 2020 By krda

The first of half of 2020 has been one for the history books. COVID-19 has certainly had a major impact on our daily lives and our regional economy, but what hasn’t changed is this community’s spirit and resilience. At KRDA, we’ve seen it first-hand.

With support from the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board, the dedicated team at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) piloted a first-of-its-kind coding academy with great success. Despite the added challenges of a pandemic, the students, faculty and staff persevered – providing defense contractors with a local talent pipeline of certified IT professionals and graduates with great career opportunities.

Inundated with record unemployment insurance claims, the team at the Kentucky Career Center-Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT) never lost sight of their mission to help job seekers find opportunities. That includes military spouses. In partnership with Fort Knox and KRDA, KCC-LT is overseeing a new proactive model of support that could become an Army and community best practice.

Part of that model includes a cadre of volunteer community connectors who are stepping up to support, mentor and advise military spouses. These business professionals, while already dealing with the multitude of challenges that COVID-19 has brought, still offered to support Army families.

No doubt, our economic resilience is buoyed by Fort Knox as plans for V Corps’ activation this October continue. The surrounding real estate market in particular is experiencing positive impacts. KRDA also is seeing growth in defense-related business in the region, and we are actively working to attract more companies that value operating near this great military installation.

At KRDA, our commitment to this community remains constant, as do our values, which include fostering an environment of dignity and respect for all people in all places, conducting ourselves with integrity and honor and encouraging our partners to do the same.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support as we work to protect and grow Fort Knox and realize its greatest economic impact.

Warm Regards,

Ray and Jim

KRDA partners with Kentucky Career Center, Fort Knox to assist military spouse

July 8, 2020 By krda

New three-step process provides proactive career coaching, professional networking

The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced today a new and innovative approach to supporting military spouses relocating to the Greater Knox region, as well as spouses who already are here and interested in finding employment.

KRDA developed a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive model in partnership with the Kentucky Career Centers – Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT), the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board (LTWDB) and Fort Knox.

KCC-LT will oversee the three-step process featured on the new Greater Fort Knox website greaterfortknox.com, which begins with a short questionnaire. From there, information gathered helps match participants with an experienced KCC-LT professional who will help with job search and training at no cost.

“Whether it’s training, career workshops or help finding employment, our career center team provides a one-stop shop for any employment or training needs,” said LTWDB Sherry Johnson. The LTWDB oversees the KCC-LT.

Additionally, military spouses will be matched with a community connector who will help them grow their professional network, which can often open the door to new professional opportunities. KRDA helped recruit the volunteer community connectors who are providing this added support.

“Statistics say that upwards of 70 percent of job opportunities don’t come from a job board but rather from professional relationships that military spouses, being new to the community, typically don’t have,” said KRDA CEO Brig. Gen. Retired Jim Iacocca. “We are tapping into our caring, supportive community to help our military spouses connect with organizations and people who may open the door to a new employment opportunity. As expected, the community response was immediate and overwhelming and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Iacocca shared details of the model with Army Human Resources Command (HRC) officials who agreed to include the resource on military orders of any Soldier coming to Fort Knox.

“This allows military spouses to access this support even before they arrive,” Iacocca said. “We appreciate HRC’s support as we work to be proactive in our support to military families.”

Melinda Roberts, Fort Knox’s Chief of Army Community Services (ACS), praised the community for partnering with Fort Knox ACS to develop this comprehensive model of support to help military spouses find employment.

“Providing employment support to our military spouses is a top priority from the Secretary of Defense to the Chief of Staff of the Army and, of course, right here at Fort Knox,” Roberts said. “We always are looking for new and innovative ways to tap into community resources and think this new model could become an Army best practice. We are fortunate to have great community partners who want to help us do the very best we can for our Army families.”

LTWDB chairman, U.S. Navy veteran and state representative Dean Schamore said the Greater Fort Knox region has a proud tradition of supporting the military and their families.

“In 2018, the Association of Defense Communities named the Fort Knox region a Great American Defense Community so it comes as no surprise to me that our community would set the bar high when it comes to supporting military spouses,” Schamore said. “You won’t find a more committed, patriotic and caring community.”

Iacocca encouraged all military spouses looking for employment or training opportunities to visit greaterfortknox.com/jobs to learn more and tap into these resources.

“Whether you are about to move here, have just moved here or have been stationed at Fort Knox for some time, the community wants to help.” Iacocca said.

KRDA Launches Greater Fort Knox Website

June 30, 2020 By krda

Site is an informational one-stop shop for military families moving to the area

Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) recently announced the launch of a comprehensive website featuring information on communities in the Greater Fort Knox Region. The site, greaterfortknox.com, is a one-stop virtual location for military families relocating to the area.

“Moving to a new area can be daunting, especially for military families,” said KRDA CEO Brig. Gen. Retired Jim Iacocca. “Nowhere else in the country will you find more military-friendly communities than those surrounding Fort Knox. This is our way of welcoming military families and showcasing the quality of life they will enjoy in this region.”

KRDA consulted Fort Knox leadership on information military families seek when relocating to the region. The site, designed by marketing firm Heartland Communications Consultants, Inc., features resources for education and childcare, government services, utilities and community information for Radcliff, Vine Grove, Elizabethtown and the rest of Hardin County, as well as Meade, Bullitt and LaRue counties. In addition, the site’s employment section provides information on job opportunities and career coaching for military spouses and family members.

“The purpose of this site is to make the transition of military families a bit easier by providing a list of community resources specific to our region, all in one location,” said KRDA Chairman and Abound Credit Union CEO Ray Springsteen. “Where ever they choose to call home when stationed at Fort Knox, we want these families to know they will be supported.”

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