Community Leaders Launch Campaign to Strengthen Fort Knox, Regional Economy

New non-profit private-public alliance to lead $2.5 million effort

What:

Private and public sector community leaders from Hardin, Meade, LaRue, Bullitt
and Jefferson Counties will officially launch a $2.5 million campaign to grow Fort Knox and the region’s economy. The newly established Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) is undertaking the capital campaign to fund a three-pronged economic
development initiative centered 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

Money raised will be used to 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.

Who:

Campaign Co-Chairs:

• Dennis Johnson, President and CEO of Hardin Memorial Health
• Ray Springsteen, President and CEO of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union
• U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie
• Retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron, Executive Director CORE Committee Inc.
• Representatives from five counties, 10 municipalities
• Dozens of private sector leaders

When:

8:00 a.m., Thursday, October 13, 2016

Where:

Grace Heartland Church
801 Pear Orchard Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Why:

“Protecting and growing Fort Knox and related private sector business growth means more jobs and more opportunities in our region,” said Ray Springsteen, Campaign Co-Chair. “A comprehensive and coordinated effort to protect and promote Fort Knox is
essential.”

Springsteen sited other military communities with like-organizations that have increased their installation’s military value resulting in new military missions, private sector business attraction and overall economic growth.

Campaign Co-Chair Dennis Johnson emphasized the power of collaboration. “Together, public and private leaders can make a big difference for Ft. Knox. We can protect and grow this regional treasure and economic powerhouse,” said Johnson.