Kentucky economic leaders,
This year, there’s no doubt we have been disrupted by a global challenge. From that disruption comes renewed opportunity in 2021 to show the world how we rise with the spirit of our iconic legacy to leverage our economic advantages. In 2021, new KAED services will form and new opportunities for Kentucky will emerge. Because of this, KAED membership is critical as we market our Commonwealth and deploy programs designed to realize our mission to "enhance professional capacity to accelerate economic development."
Through the previous months, we have witnessed the power of KAED convergence. As COVID became more consequential, the Association quickly pivoted to assist with Kentucky’s COVID mitigation. KAED sourced PPE for key industries and vulnerable populations, provided free masks to Kentuckians, deployed nationally leading business retention and expansion resources, served as a real-time information clearinghouse and advocate, and deployed the Kentucky Economic Recovery and Resilience Project to equip every Kentucky business with free strategic intelligence tools and every economic developer with targeted attraction data. Together, we also launched the state's first professional certification program and relaunched the Product Development Initiative to build capacity across the Commonwealth. Because of our members, KAED has served successfully as we emerge post-COVID.
KAED membership not only warrants the perpetuation of our services, but is also an investment in your organization. In 2021, the Association will graduate the first class of Kentucky Certified Economic Developers, we will continue to market our Commonwealth across the globe via KentuckyUnited, we will amplify our government relations, and we will build upon all of our consultative programs like the Kentucky Economic Recovery and Resilience Project. As always, our portfolio will be loaded with the signature KAED fun, unparalleled networking, and access to policymakers and site selection consultants. We welcome our members to engage in any KAED opportunity.
Our Chairman of the Board, John Bevington, has stated that “we will engage our membership unlike ever before to unleash the intellectual capital within KAED,” and that we will work collectively to build “nationally leading entities, services, and practices right here in Kentucky.” Together, we can unleash the motivated talent within KAED. When we do, Kentucky’s intrinsic advantages combined with the Association’s member-led execution of strategies will enrich our organizations, our communities, and our Commonwealth; and our competitors will be made fully aware of the undeniable Kentucky advantage. To do this, we need you!
On behalf of the 700+ KAED members consisting of economic developers, Chambers, utilities, state and local governments, professional service firms, quasi-governmental
agencies, universities, and more, I invite you to join the Kentucky Association
for Economic Development. KAED dues are affordable and valuable. To join KAED,
simply visit www.KAEDonline.org/whyKAED or contact me at
mtackett@kaedonline.org to get started.
Thank you for your commitment to our Commonwealth,
