Nine counties will be certified as ‘AiReady’
By Chuck Sexton
Prestonsburg, KY, July 7, 2016 – One East Kentucky announced today that the organization has contracted with a consulting firm to certify nine counties in the coal fields as “AiReady”.
“This is part of our ongoing recruitment effort. We identified aerospace as a target industry for the region due to multiple factors: skilled workforce, infrastructure, regional airports and proximity to other aerospace clusters,” said Chuck Sexton, CEO of One East Kentucky. “Many people don’t realize that the number one export in the state of Kentucky is aerospace. For all of these reasons and more, it becomes a natural fit for attracting those types of companies.”
Sexton also noted that educational programs related to aerospace are key advantages in recruiting new industry. Morehead State University’s Space Science Center was listed as a key partner in the study, as well as technical programs through KCTCS, the Aviation Mechanics program in Somerset and a new advanced manufacturing/CNC program in development.
The certification process was developed by two seasoned economic development consultants, Robert Ingram and Tucson Roberts, CEO’s of Common Sense Economic Development and Tucson Atlantic Consulting respectively. Their combined experience in attracting and locating aerospace related industries spans multiple decades.
Tucson Roberts stated, “We have visited the One East Kentucky region twice over the past month, and were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the four-lanes, industrial parks and airports. Our biggest wow moment though has been the friendliness and cooperation we are seeing among all the community and business leaders across county lines. Industry doesn’t see county lines, they look at regional opportunities for employment, training and infrastructure.”
The certification is designed to help rural areas showcase advantages to aerospace related companies, prepare marketing for recruitment, and give assurance to the companies that an independent firm has verified the region can support them. “Everything we have seen so far tells me that east Kentucky would be a great location for aerospace manufacturers, especially those who manufacture metal components and parts,” added Robert Ingram. “The key is going to be getting out and talking to these companies across the country and at industry trade shows.”
Allen Gillum, CEO of Appalachian Wireless and Chairman of the board for One East Kentucky, assures that is exactly what Sexton will be doing, “Between now and November, One East will be meeting with companies in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, California and even in Canada. The organization was created for that purpose and this certification is going to give us added credibility, which helps get our foot in the door of companies around the country.”
During these recruitment campaigns, other target industries will be meeting with One East Kentucky to learn more about the region as well. Those additional industries include automotive, steel fabrication, wood manufacturing, food processing and more. All in an effort to bring more jobs to the region.
The AiReady Certification will be complete at the end of September in time for recruitment meetings. AEP/Kentucky Power has awarded One East Kentucky a portion of the KPEGG Grant to cover the study’s cost of $37,000.
The nine counties in One East Kentucky’s region: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry and Pike.
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One East Kentucky is a privately funded, non-profit regional economic development organization covering nine counties. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Charles Sexton at 606-886-7333 or email at chuck@OneEastKY.com
