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.