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Fort Knox – a Multifaceted Installation

March 31, 2023 By krda

For more than a century, our region has been home to Fort Knox, and our rich history is intrinsically linked to the Army installation. For decades, the 110,000-acre installation had been the home of Armor, and today there are countless veterans and retirees in our community who represent that Armor heritage.

The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) saw the Armor Center and School move to Fort Benning, Georgia and several new missions arrived on post. While the Armor Center’s departure was met with some understandable disappointment, Fort Knox’s importance to our national defense, its strategic value and its regional economic impact has only grown since then. Today, Fort Knox is home to multifaceted missions with global impact.

For example, V Corps Headquarters is one of only four corps headquarters in the entire Army. Commanded by a Lieutenant General (3-star), V Corps is responsible for command and control of all Army forces in Europe. They have a forward operating headquarters in Poland, and have been particularly focused in support of NATO allies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Additionally, Fort Knox’s 1st Theater Sustainment Command provides logistical operations for the military in the Middle East, where the unit regularly has Soldiers deployed.

Fort Knox is also the strategic center of human capital management for the Army with three major commands focused on talent attraction, development and management located here:

U.S. Army Human Resources Command provides human capital management for every Soldier in the United States Army. It is the largest human capital management organization in the country, if not the world.
U.S. Army Recruiting Command oversees the recruitment of the entire active duty and Army reserve enlisted force. The command has recruiters stationed all over the country, providing young men and women countless career opportunities and the honor to serve this great nation.
U.S. Army Cadet Command oversees College Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs and all high school Junior ROTC programs. The college ROTC programs are responsible for the development and commissioning of 70 percent of the newly-commissioned officers the Army adds each year.

Cadet Command also hosts the Army’s largest annual training exercise at Fort Knox – Cadet Summer Training (CST). Upwards of 15,000 college ROTC cadets and instructors come to Fort Knox each year for CST.

Because of these strategic commands, Fort Knox also piloted the Army’s new Command Assessment Program (CAP) and is now the permanent home of this new evaluation process that determines which leaders are best suited for command positions.

Other critical missions at Fort Knox include First Army Division East, which is responsible for training and mobilizing all Army Reserve units in the Eastern United States.

The 19th Engineer Battalion, also located at Fort Knox, is the largest engineer battalion in the Army and a Corps level asset of the XVIII Airborne Corps.

As for Army Reserve Commands, Fort Knox is the headquarters for all Army Reserve Aviation in the country. Additionally, the 100th Training Division and the 84th Training Command provide critical training and leadership development for Army reserve Soldiers.

Lastly, Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC) Fort Knox provides health and dental care services to Soldiers and their family members stationed at Fort Knox and also oversees facilities at Bluegrass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky; Camp Atterbury, Indiana; Warren, Michigan; and Camp Grayling, Michigan.

As you can see, the missions at Fort Knox have a strategic impact and global reach. A workforce of approximately 22,000 Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and contractors support these missions each day, making it one of the largest employers in Kentucky and the largest in our region. The post’s annual economic impact is approximately $4.8 billion, including $1.3 billion in annual payroll.

At KRDA, we are committed to making sure our community does all it can to support Fort Knox, ensuring this regional economic engine and premier military installation is strong and well-positioned for growth.

KRDA Honors Outgoing Board Chair Ray Springsteen During Annual Meeting

January 31, 2023 By krda

During their annual meeting, the Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) recognized outgoing Board Chair Ray Springsteen for receiving the inaugural Greater Fort Knox Region Defense Community Champion award from the Association of Defense Communities (ADC). This achievement makes Springsteen eligible for nomination for the national award, which will be presented to winners at the ADC National Summit in Washington D.C. in March.

“This is a well-deserved recognition for a staunch proponent of Fort Knox’s success and viability,” said KRDA CEO Jim Iacocca. “Without Ray’s strong leadership and passion for Fort Knox, KRDA would not be what it is today.”

Springsteen, who is the President and CEO of Abound Credit Union, has served as Board Chair for KRDA since 2018 and also co-chaired KRDA’s initial capital campaign. In presenting the award, Iacocca noted that Springsteen’s support to Fort Knox Soldiers and their families extends far beyond his service with KRDA. Under Springsteen’s leadership, Abound Credit Union committed more than $1 million to expand access to healthcare at a primary care clinic located just outside of Fort Knox. This includes expanding access to behavioral health, community resources, social workers, and financial counseling. The credit union also supports USA Cares, a national nonprofit that aids military families in financial crises and provides job placement services to transitioning service members and veterans. Additionally, the credit union has organized workshops for prospective veteran entrepreneurs and facilitated financial literacy initiatives for schools on and adjacent to Fort Knox.

“It is a distinct honor to receive the Greater Fort Knox Region Defense Community Champion award, just as it has been an honor to contribute to KRDA’s vital mission,” said Springsteen. “Fort Knox is the cornerstone of our regional economy. With $1.3 billion in annual payroll and a $4.8 billion annual economic impact, the success of Fort Knox is vital to our region’s future. That is why having an organization like KRDA dedicated to supporting Fort Knox is incredibly important.”

Marilyn Ford will succeed Springsteen as the new Board Chair for a two-year term. Ford previously served as Vice Chair/Chair-Elect for KRDA.

“Ray has set an exceptional precedent as Board Chair and through my new role, I am excited to help KRDA carry on the great work that has been done thus far,” Ford said.

KRDA’s annual meeting was attended by more than 70 investors from the private and public sectors. At the meeting, KRDA leadership provided updates on Fort Knox and shared information about KRDA’s plans for 2022 and their positive outlook for 2023. The organization anticipates several positive announcements, including new missions and community development projects in the coming year.

The completion of Fort Knox’s Digital Air Ground Integration Range (DAGIR) in late 2023 or early 2024, is also much-anticipated. The third such range in the world and the only one of its kind located east of the Mississippi River, DAGIR will connect air and ground combat assets to provide a more comprehensive training experience.

Fort Knox Deputy Garrison Commander Jim Bradford was the featured speaker during the meeting.

“The addition of the DAGIR to our world-class training areas and ranges, coupled with our energy resilience and capacity for additional missions, makes Fort Knox well-positioned for growth opportunities,” Bradford said.

During the meeting, incoming and outgoing board members; new officers; and new emeritus board members were also announced. New board members include Jennifer Swope and Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul; outgoing board members include Harry Berry, Brandon Fogle, Brad Richardson, Carl Swope and Leslie Stith; new emeritus board members include Richardson and Swope; and Brian Kerr was selected as Vice Chair/Chair-Elect.

To learn more about KRDA and its leadership, click here.

KRDA Presents at Leader Lessons Speakers Series

June 22, 2022 By krda

Our thanks to the General George Patton Museum of Leadership for featuring KRDA President/CEO Brig. Gen. (ret) Jim Iacocca in its Leader Lessons speakers series. The speaker series is geared toward highlighting leaders in the military and civilian sectors as they present their perspectives on leadership excellence. During the seminar, Iacocca shared his perspective on 33+ years of leadership excellence. To view the full Leader Lessons speakers series, click here.

Cadet Summer Training Underway at Fort Knox

June 9, 2022 By krda

Cadet Summer Training (CST) officially got underway at Fort Knox in May and runs through August. Considered the Army’s largest annual training exercise, 5,000 cadre (instructors) train and evaluate 9,000 Army Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets. With the return of CST, Fort Knox will also soon host several Family Days and public graduation ceremonies, bringing more visitors to the Greater Fort Knox Region. Listed below are the scheduled CST graduations:

Wednesday, June 29 — Advanced Camp 1st Regiment graduation
Monday, July 4 — Advanced Camp 2nd Regiment graduation
Saturday, July 9 — Advanced Camp 3rd Regiment graduation
Thursday, July 14 — Advanced Camp 4th Regiment graduation
Tuesday, July 19 — Advanced Camp 5th Regiment graduation
Sunday, July 24 — Advanced Camp 6th Regiment graduation
Wednesday, July 27 — Basic Camp 1st Regiment graduation
Friday, July 29 — Advanced Camp 7th Regiment graduation
Monday, Aug. 1 — Basic Camp 2nd Regiment graduation
Wednesday, Aug. 3 — Advanced Camp 8th Regiment graduation
Saturday, Aug. 6 — Basic Camp 3rd Regiment graduation
Monday, Aug. 8 — Advanced Camp 9th Regiment graduation
Saturday, Aug. 13 — Advanced Camp 10th Regiment graduation
Thursday, Aug. 18 — Advanced Camp 11th Regiment graduation

If attending CST graduations, be sure to have an approved pass to access post and plan accordingly for longer-than-normal wait times at the post entrance gates.

Radcliff Welcomes Knox Regional Development Alliance to Hargan Building

April 14, 2022 By krda

RADCLIFF, Ky. – Radcliff officials announced recently that the Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) will be the new tenant of the iconic Elmer L. Hargan Building on North Wilson Road. Beginning in May, the building will serve as the physical location for the community-based non-profit that works to promote and protect Fort Knox and grow defense-related business in the region.

“We are thrilled to welcome KRDA to the Hargan Building,” said Radcliff Mayor JJ Duvall. “KRDA’s work to help protect Fort Knox and grow its economic impact is a direct benefit to the people of Radcliff and the entire region. Fort Knox remains an engine that drives our regional economy.”

Named for the city’s first mayor, the building which sits behind the tank display and city welcome sign, was donated by the Hargan family with the stipulation that it be used for municipal needs as determined by city government.

Duvall called KRDA the perfect fit.

“I cannot think of a better occupant than an organization that supports our community’s and our region’s largest employer,” he said.

KRDA offices have been in the Radcliff Square Plaza, almost directly across U.S. 31W from the Hargan Building. The plaza’s former owner, Joe Markham, donated their former space at a highly reduced rental rate as part of his investment in KRDA.

Markham sold the plaza in 2018 and with the expiration of the initial lease, the new property managers indicated that rent would more than quadruple. That’s when KRDA CEO Brig. Gen. retired Jim Iacocca first met with Duvall about moving into the Hargan Building.

“It just made sense,” said Iacocca. “We cannot thank the city enough for their financial commitment to KRDA with both their annual investment and this generous in-kind donation that allows us to keep operational costs lower and be the best stewards of our investors’ dollars.”

Founded in 2016, KRDA is funded through the support of private and public donations.

Abound Credit Union CEO and KRDA board chairman Ray Springsteen shared Iacocca’s and Duvall’s sentiment.

“This is a win on so many levels – for KRDA, for the city of Radcliff, for the entire region, and for the Soldiers and families of Fort Knox that KRDA helps us all support,” said Springsteen. “KRDA works to protect our region’s greatest economic asset, Fort Knox, which generates nearly a billion in annual payroll. We appreciate the city’s foresight in giving KRDA a new place from which do their critical work.”

Renovations to the building are ongoing in advance of KRDA’s move, including a remodeled office space that is accessed from the main North Wilson Road entrance, and exterior maintenance work to include new roofing. The city also plans to renovate the lower level of the building that features a larger meeting space later this year.

The Hargan building had been home to the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s north-end office and the Radcliff Chamber of Commerce prior to the chamber merger in late 2010.

The Hardin County Chamber officially vacated the location last year citing operational efficiency at a single location in Elizabethtown.

“COVID operations showed us that we can continue to serve and advocate for the entire Hardin County business community from one location,” said Margy Poorman, President and CEO of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with KRDA and think they are an ideal tenant for our former office space.”

Representatives from the Radcliff Small Business Alliance (RSBA) were also on hand for the welcome ceremony and expressed their support for KRDA’s move into the Hargan Building.

“We’ve long advocated for the city and our community to get the best return on investment possible from the Hargan building tenants,” said RSBA president Matt Smith. “Our thanks to the mayor and city council for their leadership in this valuable and important decision.”

KRDA Welcomes New Board Members, Officers

February 21, 2022 By krda

The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) officially welcomed new board members and board officers at its recent annual meeting of investors. New additions to the board include Selena Hudson, Vine Grove city council member and mortgage loan officer with Mutual of Omaha Mortgage; Margy Poorman, President and CEO of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce; and Brandon Simpson, an insurance agent with Hardin County Kentucky Farm Bureau.

“We are excited to have these three great community leaders join the KRDA board of directors and bring their talent and expertise to bear in support of KRDA’s work to promote and protect Fort Knox and support Soldiers and their families,” said Ray Springsteen, KRDA board chairman and President and CEO of Abound Credit Union.

“Fort Knox’s economic impact on our region cannot be overstated. With nearly one billion dollars in annual payroll and a workforce that’s two to four times more than the next five largest employers combined in Hardin, Meade, LaRue and Bullitt Counties, Fort Knox is our region’s economic engine,” Springsteen said.

Two board members, Luke Schmidt, CEO of L.B. Schmidt and Associates, and Retired Col. Bill Betson, were appointed as board officers and will now serve on the KRDA executive committee. Betson will serve as the board secretary and Schmidt will serve as the treasurer. Schmidt replaces Keith Johnson who served as KRDA treasurer since the organization was formed in 2016. Johnson will continue serving on the board of directors.

Betson and Schmidt join Springsteen; Retired Maj. Gen. John Tindall, who continues serving as the board’s vice chair/military; and Marilyn Ford, heartland region city president of Wesbanco, who previously served as the board secretary and was elected to the newly established officer position of vice chair/chair-elect.

Terry Bennett, of Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson and Humphrey, will also continue to serve on the executive committee as council.

“Our board and executive committee provide tremendous leadership and are critical to KRDA’s long-term viability,” said KRDA CEO Jim Iacocca. “I am incredibly appreciative of the board’s support and commitment to KRDA and keeping Fort Knox strong. Our community plays an important role in setting the conditions for Fort Knox to grow and prosper.”

As a private, non-profit 501(c)(6) organization, KRDA is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of 30 members made up of community leaders and investors from across the Greater Fort Knox Region.

Retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron
Harry Berry, Hardin County Judge/Executive
Jim Bradford, Fort Knox, Deputy Garrison Commander
Retired Brig. Gen. Steve Bullard, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, Executive Director
J.J. Duvall, City of Radcliff Mayor
Brandon Fogle, South Central Bank, Northern Region President
Jim Fugitte, Plansmith Corp, Director of Strategic Services
Jeff Gregory, City of Elizabethtown Mayor
Brian Kerr, Kerr Office Group, President
Retired Maj. Gen. Troy Kok
Ben LaRue, Owen LaRue Financial, Partner and Financial Advisor
Darin Logsdon, Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust Co., Vice President
Pam Ogden, Vine Grove Mayor
Brad Richardson, Hardin County Chamber of Commerce, Retired President/CEO
Leslie Stith, Meade County Judge/Executive
Jerry Summers, Bullitt County Judge/Executive
Carl Swope, Swope Family of Dealerships, President/CEO
Tracee Troutt, Baptist Health Hardin, Vice President/Chief Marketing and Development Officer
Allison Willoughby, Brandenburg Telephone and Telecom Companies, General Manager
Don Wise, The Cecilian Bank, Senior Executive Officer

To learn more about KRDA’s board members, visit growknox.org/about-krda.

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