Category: KRDA

  • KRDA Launches Greater Fort Knox Website

    KRDA Launches Greater Fort Knox Website

    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.”

  • KRDA offers 5 factors driving local optimism

    It’s hard to believe that a little less than three months ago, we were celebrating the news Fort Knox was selected as the location for the Army’s new corps headquarters. The coronavirus has had a tremendous impact on our region, our nation and the world, including our military and Fort Knox.

    As CEO of the Knox Reg­ional Development Alli­ance, I am in regular contact with Fort Knox leaders and Department of Defense officials and I want to update the community on the latest developments.

    • Fifth Corps is coming.

    Its activation still is scheduled for October 2020, bringing approximately 635 soldiers and their families to our region, including a three-star general who will command the organization. The new Corps Headquarters will be responsible for command and control of Army operational forces in Europe and 200 soldiers from the unit eventually will be deployed on rotation to Europe, while their families remain here.

    The DOD has extended its Stop Move order through June 30, which means these new families won’t begin arriving until later this summer. It may take longer before the unit is fully staffed, but that does not change the October activation. Fort Knox will become one of only four installations in the Army with a Corps Headquarters, putting our post in an elite class.

    • Access to Fort Knox is unrestricted, but wear a mask.

    There are currently no limitations regarding access to post, but you are required to wear a mask at most establishments. Free face masks/coverings are not available at Fort Knox, so plan accordingly. There always is the possibility of increasing health protection conditions that would limit access to authorized personnel only — which includes workforce, Fort Knox residents, persons with permitted services such as retirees.

    With the current progress in Kentucky and the community around Fort Knox, I feel confident access will remain unrestricted.

    • The status of Cadet Sum­mer Training 2020 is unknown.

    Each summer Fort Knox hosts the Army’s largest training exercise – Cadet Summer Training – for thousands of Army ROTC cadets from colleges and universities all over the country. Hundreds of additional officers and non-commissioned officers make up the cadre of instructors.

    Unfortunately, with the DOD Stop Move order extended until June 30, we know that if cadet summer training happens, it will be greatly abbreviated. Cadet Command is continuing to work with Army leadership on various courses of action, but whatever the outcome, it is almost assured the region will not experience the typical increased visits to local restaurants or the added hotel stays CST often brings.

    I know that is incredibly unwelcome news given the economic toll coronavirus restrictions have taken, but we think it is important to be up front and realistic about the outlook. The leadership at Fort Knox is sensitive to and concerned about the potential impact.

    • Fort Knox is critical to our nation’s defense and our regional economy.

    For more than a century, Fort Knox has played a critical role in our nation’s defense and that continues today. With missions like Army Human Resources Command, Army Cadet Command and Army Recruiting Command, what happens at Fort Knox impacts every soldier and their family. The 1st Theater Sustainment Command, 1st Army Division East, and 19th Engineer Battalion along with Army Reserve and National Guard units further Fort Knox’s strategic importance. The addition of Fifth Corps makes a great installation even better.

    Fifth Corps also makes our economy stronger with an estimated $50 million in new payroll, along with additional defense contractor spending adding to the post’s annual $2.6 billion economic impact.

    While I know that doesn’t improve the current circumstances faced by businesses, I hope it can provide some reassurance that as the economy reopens, Fort Knox’s growth will bring added spending power in these tough economic times.

    • This community is the very best.

    There is no doubt we are facing unprecedented times, but like always, there are countless examples of your caring, collaborative and supportive spirit. It is what sets our region apart from other defense communities.

    Your continued support to Fort Knox, its soldiers and their families remains unwavering. I can’t thank you enough and express how proud Beth Avey, KRDA’s first vice president, and I are to represent you in our work to strengthen Fort Knox and grow defense-related business in our region. If we can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.

  • Employers meet with ECTC’s Coding Academy students

    Students in the inaugural class of Elizabethtown Community and Technical College’s Greater Knox Coding Academy gained valuable insights from area defense contractors in an online meeting.

    The virtual round table discussion connected employers with students participating in the 18-week intensive course to become certified information technology professionals.

    Launched in February, the program is designed to provide a pipeline of potential employees who possess the skills and industry certifications needed by Fort Knox contractors, specifically in Java and Security Plus.

    The students had been meeting in a dedicated computer lab at ECTC, but moved to online instruction in March because of coronavirus restrictions.

    The college worked with its partners at the Knox Regional Development Alliance to arrange the online meeting.

    “When the coronavirus forced us to move the academy to online instruction, these students remained committed and forged ahead,” ECTC’s President Juston Pate said in a news release. “We were following our students’ example and didn’t let the current environment stop us from making this important first connection between them and prospective employers. The dialogue was fantastic.”

    Chase Cole, a student in the coding academy and a senior at North Hardin High School, asked the employers about their companies’ values and shared his thoughts on the type of job he is seeking when he graduates, according to the release.

    “Hearing first-hand from these employers was really helpful,” Cole said. “They provided great advice on what an average day might be like, how to keep and hone my skills and how to be successful in this line of work.”

    Local defense contractor North South Consulting’s CEO Krista Stevens was one of five employers who participated. Stevens has advised ECTC and the development alliance on the challenges she and other defense contractors face in filling vacancies with local talent.

    “The opportunity ECTC has created for them while providing companies like ours with access to skilled workers is fantastic,” Stevens said. “We have a real demand for this type of IT talent and given the Army’s growing use of technology, that need can only continue to increase.”

    KRDA CEO Jim Iacocca offered his praise for the students, the employers and the college.

    “Decision makers in the Department of Defense definitely have to consider available workforce when they are determining where to locate missions,” said Iacocca, a retired brigadier general.

    “The Greater Knox Coding Academy demonstrates that our community will step up and respond to workforce needs.”

    ECTC plans to offer the academy again starting in August. Registration is open for that session at elizabethtown.kctcs.edu/coding academy.

    Admission to the program is selective and highly competitive, according to ECTC.

  • KRDA leader touts V Corps impact

    KRDA leader touts V Corps impact

    Source: The News-Enterprise 

    Establishment of the Fifth Corps headquarters at Fort Knox will increase the region’s population by approximately 2,000 people as soldiers arrive with their families, according to Jim Iacocca of Knox Regional Development Alliance.

    He said Human Resources Command already has started issuing orders for the 635 soldiers being reassigned to establish the new corps headquarters.

    Iacocca spoke Tuesday at the Radcliff Small Business Alliance luncheon about the U.S. Army’s announcement last month that Fort Knox had been selected as home for the Pentagon’s new corps headquarters.

    The corps at Fort Knox is responsible for supporting U.S. forces and operations in Europe and to help meet National De­fen­se Strategy and the Army’s modernization and readiness needs. It will be headed by a three-star general and includes staff and field-grade officers and enlisted personnel.

    The headquarters, which is scheduled for act­i­vation in Octo­ber, will maintain a rotational Op­era­­tion­al Command Post in Eur­ope. Known as the Fifth Corps or V Corps, it’s a reactivation of an Army unit’s name familiar in Eur­ope dating back to World War I.

    Iacocca said at any given time 200 of the 635 soldiers will be in Europe but all will be permanently stationed here.

    KRDA estimates 70 percent of families are going to live off post in Hardin and surrounding counties, he said.

    “That is roughly 455 people of the 635 that are coming to live off post in the community,” he said, noting the organization also estimates 300 school-age children will attend off-post schools.

    Iacocca said they suspect soldiers and their families will begin arriving during the summer. He said Army leadership would like to be as close to 100 percent as possible by Oct. 1.

    Iacocca said V Corps coming to Fort Knox is amazing, but reminded RSBA members Fort Knox already played a critical role in the Army with its recruitment and human resources commands and to the local economy before the Feb­ruary announcement.

    “It already was a great place with dynamic commands that impact the strength of the Army every day,” he said.

    In addition to Fort Knox becoming the new corps headquarters, Iacocca said he recently discovered the Army’s Best Warrior Com­peti­tion will take place at Fort Knox in the fall.

    “That’s a big deal,” he said, saying it will bring 34 of the best soldiers in the Army to post and garner more positive exposure.

    Iacocca also touted Elizabethtown Com­mun­ity and Technical Col­lege’s coding academy. He said it’s going very well in training students for jobs available at HRC and other Fort Knox missions.

    The Greater Knox Coding Aca­demy began classes Feb. 3 with 30 students eager to tackle the 17-week program that trains them to be certified information technology professionals with skills in demand by defense contractors at Fort Knox. Many of the positions have starting salaries as high as $65,000.

  • Knox Regional Development Alliance Launches Capital Campaign

    Funding used to promote, protect, advocate for Fort Knox growth

    The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) officially kicked off a capital campaign to fund the organization from 2021 – 2025 at its annual meeting of investors today. The organization, now in its fifth year, works to promote and protect Fort Knox to increase its economic impact in the Greater Louisville region.

    KRDA Chairman and Fort Knox Federal Credit Union CEO Ray Springsteen praised the progress KRDA has made in showcasing Fort Knox and our region and positioning it for growth.

    “Every day KRDA is singularly focused on proactively setting the conditions that help make Fort Knox and our region an ideal choice, whether it’s new military missions or new defense-related business or new partnerships,” said Springsteen. “KRDA is making sure we are ready to compete.”

    Springsteen co-chaired the initial $2.5 million capital campaign to fund the organization through 2020.

    KRDA CEO Brig. Gen. Retired Jim Iacocca said the community is instrumental in KRDA’s success.

    “The support of this community to Fort Knox Soldiers and Families is second to none,” he said. “Your support helps set us apart.”

    KRDA board member and Louisville business owner Luke Schmidt is chairing the capital campaign committee. At the public launch, Schmidt shared that 100 percent of board members have recommitted to financially supporting KRDA and encouraged all investors to do the same.

    Schmidt emphasized the importance of having an organization that is proactively working to protect and promote Fort Knox – a $2.6 billion annual economic engine and the second largest employer in the Louisville – Elizabethtown/Fort Knox Combined Statistical Area (CSA).

    “Fort Knox is home to various commands which play critical roles in our nation’s defense, and, candidly, our regional economy. We want to keep it that way and that means we have to remain proactive,” Schmidt said. “We have to keep Fort Knox and our region top of mind with key decision-makers because we know other military communities with similar organizations are doing the same thing. It is my honor to chair the next capital campaign to fund KRDA from 2021 – 2025.”

    The goal of the campaign is to raise $2.25 million over five years. Schmidt said the committee is also seeking new investors to support KRDA.

  • Brig. Gen. Andy Munera Sees Positive Future for Fort Knox, Region

    KRDA updates investors, shares plans for future

    Brig. Gen. Andy Munera painted a positive picture of Fort Knox’s growing importance within the Department of Defense and national security at the Knox Regional Development Alliance’s annual investor meeting today.

    Munera, the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Cadet Command, cited new programs and expanded missions at the installation, including the Army’s Battalion Commander Assessment Program, or BCAP. The program evaluates officers competing for battalion command across multiple areas including physical fitness, written and oral communications, and cognitive and non-cognitive skills.

    Munera described battalion command as one of the most significant leadership roles in the Army where officers at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel lead upwards of 500 soldiers.

    “The Army chose Fort Knox as the location for the program given its central location as well as the talent management and leader development expertise that resides on post,” said Munera.  The program is in its third week and will run through Feb. 9, with more than 800 candidates being assessed.

    According to Munera, among the Chief of Staff of the Army’s highest priorities is talent management, and Fort Knox’s missions are at the center of that work. He added that the installation’s world-class training areas and ranges as well as its energy security make it well-suited for a broad range of missions.

    Munera said the community’s support of Fort Knox cannot be overstated. “This community, this region is remarkable in all that you do. That makes Fort Knox stronger, and it makes our Army stronger.”

    Following Munera’s remarks and his departure, KRDA investors received an update on the organization’s work in 2019 and its plans for 2020. KRDA Chairman and Fort Knox Federal Credit Union CEO Ray Springsteen praised the progress KRDA has made in promoting Fort Knox and our region and positioning it for growth.

    “Every day KRDA is singularly focused on proactively setting the conditions that help make Fort Knox and our region an ideal choice, whether it’s new missions or new defense-related business or new partnerships,” said Springsteen. “KRDA is making sure we are ready to compete.”

    KRDA CEO Brig. Gen. Retired Jim Iacocca said the community is instrumental in KRDA’s success. “The support of this community to Fort Knox Soldiers and Families is second to none,” he said.

    Iacocca pointed to ECTC’s coding academy as a great example of how the region rises to the challenge.

    “Our contractor partners shared their challenges and needs with us, and our partners at ECTC found a way to respond so quickly that high school students graduating this spring will be able to attend the first coding academy and graduate on time,” said Iacocca. “That means we’ll have high school seniors who will be competitive for high-paying jobs right here in our community. That’s a win for the student, for our region, for Fort Knox and for our Army.”

    Iacocca added that initiatives like the coding academy and other community efforts create a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting new missions. Iacocca and Springsteen also recognized outgoing KRDA board member Dennis Johnson, CEO of Hardin Memorial Health, for his instrumental work in establishing KRDA. Johnson and Springsteen co-chaired the initial $2.5 million capital campaign to fund the organization through 2020.

    As the organization enters its fifth year, KRDA board member and business owner Luke Schmidt announced the public launch of KRDA’s second capital campaign to fund the alliance through 2025.

    Schmidt, who is chairing the capital campaign committee, shared that 100 percent of board members have recommitted to financially supporting KRDA and encouraged all investors to do the same. He emphasized the importance of having an organization that is proactively working to protect and promote the region’s $2.6 billion economic engine.

    “We have to remain proactive. We have to keep Fort Knox and our region top of mind with key decision makers because we know other military communities with similar organizations are doing the same thing,” Schmidt said. “That’s why it’s my honor to chair the next capital campaign to fund KRDA from 2021 – 2025.”

    The goal of the campaign is to raise $2.25 million over five years. Schmidt said the committee is also seeking new investors to support KRDA.