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Knox Regional Development Alliance

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Fort Knox general discusses post’s future at Chamber / The News-Enterprise

November 9, 2017 By krda

Source: Katherine Knott, The News-Enterprise

Since Maj. Gen. Christopher Hughes assumed the job as commanding general of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, he said he’s often been asked if the Armor Center is coming back.

He said those he spoke to believe the post has lost its purpose with the departure of the armor command.

“But I don’t see it that way,” Hughes said Wednesday at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s November luncheon. “What Fort Knox has been given is a tremendous opportunity.”

Hughes updated chamber members about new medical facilities and museum renovations at the post.

With Veterans Day approaching, Hughes first took a moment to thank the military veterans in the audience. Saturday is Veterans Day.

He said those who served in the military have enabled the American way of life.

“What really sets our veterans apart from so many great leaders in this nation is that veterans are willing to risk everything they have, everything they own, everything they believe in to protect a document, an idea, the U.S. Constitution,” he said.

Hughes’ speech to the chamber comes amid various projects on post.

Fort Knox will have a groundbreaking at 10 a.m. Thursday for a new Ireland Army Health Clinic, Hughes said. The new facility will be more than 101,000-square feet and include state-of-the-art technology.

Recently, the General George Patton Museum closed for renovations. Hughes said the museum falls under Cadet Command’s purview, so he decided to invest $4.8 million into the museum to improve the visitor experience.

Renovations to the museum include a new roof and roof facade, replacing glass and metal in the atrium and opening access to the museum from U.S. 31W.

Hughes said when the museum reopens, it will feature new exhibits about Patton and Fort Knox, and an ROTC Hall of Fame.

“Believe it or not, the Patton Museum has never displayed the history of Fort Knox,” he said. “We’re finding history tucked away in closets across the entire post.”

Hughes said the post is marking its centennial next year and asked the community to celebrate with them.

“It’s amazing to think what’s happened with our community and this installation in the last century, but what I find more exciting and interesting is to think about what is yet to come,” he said.

Katherine Knott can be reached at 270-505-1747 or kknott@thenewsenterprise.com.

Retiring Brig. Gen. James Iacocca Named First KRDA President / CEO

October 26, 2017 By krda

 

RADCLIFF, Ky.—The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced the selection of retiring Brig. Gen. James Iacocca as the organization’s first President / Chief Executive Officer. Iacocca is the former Adjutant General of the Army, a position he held at U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox.

Iacocca will officially start as CEO on Jan. 2, 2018. Until that time, retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron will continue to serve as the interim President/CEO.

Iacocca’s Army career included multiple assignments at Fort Knox. In addition to his assignment at Human Resources Command, he is the former Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Recruiting Command and the former Brigade Commander for the Army’s 3rd Recruiting Brigade.

“Jim’s experience serving with multiple units on post and his familiarity with our premiere installation made him an especially appealing candidate,” said Jim Fugitte, KRDA board chairman.

In addition to his experience at Fort Knox, Iacocca served at multiple installations including Fort Bragg, N.C. with the 82nd Airborne Division and Army Special Operations Command deploying to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He also served at the Pentagon on the staff for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“His breadth of experience and understanding of the Army and Department of Defense will prove invaluable,” Fugitte said.

Originally from Pennsylvania, when Iacocca returned to Fort Knox in 2013, he and his wife, Sandy, decided this would be where they would stay when he retired. The couple then purchased a home in Fisherville, Ky, a suburb of Louisville.

“We love Kentucky and are vested in this community,” said Iacocca. “I am honored the board selected me to lead KRDA.”

Barron said Iacocca is a well-known and highly respected senior Army leader who will lend his expertise and leadership to take the KRDA economic development initiative to a new level.

KRDA’s economic development initiative centers on three priorities:

Priority 1: Advocating for new missions and retaining existing missions at Fort Knox

Priority 2: Attracting and retaining defense-related business

Priority 3: Developing more public-public and public-private partnerships

Barron said during the ten-month search period for a new executive, KRDA has been actively working on those three priorities.

“We have made several visits to U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Headquarters, the Pentagon and Capitol Hill to make sure senior military leaders and congressional leaders understand the value of Fort Knox,” said Barron.

Barron added that he has represented KRDA at the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) conferences as well as the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting.

“We have a great story to tell in Fort Knox and the community,” said Barron. “Now we also have an exceptional leader to carry KRDA’s mission forward. I look forward to working with Jim during the transition.”

 

People to know in economic development: Bill Barron

June 16, 2017 By krda

Source: Louisville Business First

Bill Barron
Interim president/CEO, Knox Regional Development Alliance Inc. (KRDA)

Years in current job: 14

Years in economic development: 14

Tell us about the biggest economic development win for your agency.

The Knox Regional Development Alliance is a newly established organization with a mission to promote Fort Knox as a premiere military installation that is ideal for new Department of Defense missions and a catalyst for business development off-post. It replaces an earlier organization known as the CORE Committee in existence since 1991. Our successful 2016 capital campaign has been our biggest win. In eight short months, private- and public-sector leaders committed $2.5 million over the next five years.

What can the region do better to market our area for economic development?

KRDA will undertake a proactive integrated marketing effort to showcase Fort Knox and the surrounding region. We want to make sure leaders at the Pentagon know and understand what a valuable installation they have and how it is well suited for growth. Fort Knox’s capacity for growth, world-class ranges, training areas and fully instrumented airfield are among the many aspects we will tout. We will also market to public- and private-sector leaders who are looking for business development opportunities and unique workforce development partnerships. Fort Knox has been our region’s best kept secret for too long.

What are some benefits and drawbacks of public-private partnerships?

Research shows that public-private partnerships are often more cost-effective and result in a higher return on investment. KRDA wants to broker these conversations with our Army partners at Fort Knox and consider all that is possible. From energy independence to cyber security to talent and leadership development, Fort Knox is leading the way. It behooves us to leverage this incredible source of knowledge that is right here in our backyard to the benefit of Fort Knox and our region, not to mention more broadly all tax payers and our military.

What’s the most useful tool in your toolkit to encourage economic development?

Our greatest economic development tool is Fort Knox. An installation of this caliber, with the assets it has cannot be overlooked. In years past we have had a marginally funded effort with a part-time staff but with a well-funded full time operation dedicated to this work, we are confident that we can attract new missions and new business opportunities for the Region. Finding the right leader for KRDA is also critical to our success. An executive search is underway with support from the Oliver Group. We are considering several exceptional candidates to lead KRDA.

What areas of the city are ripe for economic development?

The low cost of doing business makes our region an ideal location for defense contractors to grow their presence and be in proximity to a premiere military installation. Fort Knox lets over $250 million in federal contracts annually. Only a small percentage of those are awarded to local businesses. KRDA wants to change that by helping local businesses navigate the world of federal contracting. Fort Knox is synonymous with innovation, whether it is energy independence, human capital management or big data. KRDA will serve as a conduit for entrepreneurs seeking opportunities related to the innovative work happening at Fort Knox.

KRDA Capital Campaign Surpasses $2.5 Million Stretch Goal

March 28, 2017 By krda

New board named, search narrows for new CEO

The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced today it has surpassed the $2.5 million stretch goal it established for its capital campaign. The money raised will fund the work of the newly established economic development initiative. Eighty-seven investors have pledged $2,573,500 over five years.

“It is great to see the support of private and public sector leaders for what is arguably Kentucky’s greatest economic asset,” said Dennis Johnson, campaign co-chairman and CEO of Hardin Memorial Health. “We have long supported Fort Knox but this takes our commitment to a whole new level.”

Johnson and campaign co-chairman Ray Springsteen, CEO of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, joined community leaders from Hardin, Meade, LaRue, Bullitt, Grayson, Nelson and Jefferson counties to rally support for KRDA.

KRDA’s economic development initiative centers on three priorities:

Priority 1: Advocating for new missions and retaining existing missions at Fort Knox

Priority 2: Attracting and retaining defense-related business

Priority 3: Developing more public-public and public-private partnerships

The money raised will fund KRDA’s advocacy, marketing and targeted business attraction activities.

“Fort Knox has a great deal to offer and we need to showcase that,” said retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron, acting CEO of KRDA. “It is home to leading experts in human capital management and has world class ranges, a nationally recognized energy program and capacity for new and expanded missions.”

Barron said that not only can Fort Knox support new missions on post but also can serve as the centerpiece of a business attraction effort off post.

Barron is serving as the acting CEO until the new CEO is hired. Louisville based firm The Oliver Group is conducting the CEO search and has narrowed its candidate list for the KRDA board to consider.

The newly established 26-member board will meet for the first time this week and includes investors from throughout the region.

Springsteen, who will serve on the new board, sees KRDA’s work as invaluable not only in terms of economic development but workforce development, too.

“The people who work at Fort Knox, both military and civilian employees, and their families make our region stronger,” said Springsteen. “Many of them choose to stay once their service is complete. The more opportunities we have for them on and off post, the more likely we can retain them right here.”

A full list of the newly established board is available at growknox.org.

Capital Campaign Passes $2 Million Mark, More Than $500,000 Since Public Launch

December 20, 2016 By krda

CORE Committee stands down, makes way for new organization

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced today it has surpassed the $2 million mark in its capital campaign to fund the work of the newly established economic development initiative. Sixty-seven investors have pledged $2,100,000 over five years.

“We’re incredibly pleased with this progress,” said Dennis Johnson, campaign co-chairman and CEO of Hardin Memorial Health. “Business and community leaders understand that to protect and grow Fort Knox and the region’s economy, we all need to invest.”

Johnson pointed to additional private businesses and local communities that stepped forward since the public kickoff to fund KRDA, including Scotty’s Contracting and Stone.

“Fort Knox is a cornerstone of this region’s economy,” said Jim Scott, Scotty’s Contracting and Stone CEO. “It’s key to the success of our business here and that’s why we’re investing for now and in the future.”

In October, Johnson and campaign co-chairman Ray Springsteen, CEO of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, joined private and public sector leaders from Hardin, Meade, LaRue, Bullitt and Jefferson counties to publically kickoff the campaign. At the kickoff, KRDA had commitments of $1.5 million.

KRDA’s economic development initiative centers on three priorities:

Priority 1: Advocating for new missions and retaining existing missions at Fort Knox
Priority 2: Attracting and retaining defense-related business
Priority 3: Developing more public-public and public-private partnerships

The money raised will fund KRDA’s advocacy, marketing and targeted business attraction activities. The establishment of KRDA is the result of a merger of the CORE Committee, Inc and the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s One Knox Council.

“While the CORE Committee has long advocated for missions at Fort Knox, KRDA will take this effort to a new level,” said Springsteen.

Springsteen also noted KRDA’s expanded scope that includes a focused defense-related business attraction effort.

The 30-member board of the CORE Committee recently authorized the members of its executive committee to oversee all administrative elements of the organization’s transition to the Knox Regional Development Alliance.

Executive Committee members include Ray Springsteen, Brad Richardson, Keith Johnson, retired Maj. Gen. John Tindall, Jim Fugitte and the former executive director of the CORE Committee, retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron.

Barron will continue to serve in a board role with KRDA.

CORE Committee board chairman Jim Fugitte spoke of Barron’s tireless work leading the CORE Committee for the past 13 years.

“Bill has been a tremendous force in the preservation and stability of Fort Knox,” said Fugitte. “There aren’t words to adequately characterize his impact. This community, this region is eternally grateful for his leadership and we’re so glad he will continue to serve on the KRDA board.”

KRDA has retained the services of the Oliver Group, a Louisville-based consulting firm, to oversee the search process for the CEO of KRDA. A job description is available at growknox.org.

Atlanta-based POWER 10 Capital Campaign Operations will continue overseeing the fundraising effort and is confident the $2.5 million goal will be attained in early 2017.

KRDA receives a $75,000 investment / Meade County Messenger

November 29, 2016 By krda

screen-shot-2016-11-29-at-5-57-17-pmSource: The Meade County Messenger

Representatives of Scotty’s Contracting and Stone, based in Bowling Green, present a $75,000 investment to the Knox Regional Development Alliance’s (KRDA) Campaign Operations Committee.

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Knox Regional Development Alliance
306 N. Wilson Road
Radcliff, KY 40160
(270) 351-8800

Mailing Address:
PO Box 1621
Elizabethtown, KY 42702

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