From the Executive Director's Desk

March was a productive and engaging month for the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts (KCADD), marked by our participation in the 2025 Washington Conference hosted by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA).

This annual event provided a valuable platform for Kentucky's Area Development Districts (ADDs) to engage directly with members of our congressional delegation during the "Kentuckians in Washington" gathering held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. We were honored to hear from Sen. Rand Paul and Reps. Hal Rogers, James Comer, Morgan McGarvey, Brett Guthrie, and Andy Barr, each of whom offered insights on key federal initiatives and their implications for Kentucky communities.

Several county judge/executives and mayors also attended as members of their respective ADD boards, allowing for meaningful dialogue between local and federal leaders. These conversations are vital in ensuring that our regions' unique needs and priorities are heard and understood at the national level.

We are sincerely grateful to all who participated and contributed to these discussions and the ADD executive directors who assisted in pulling the event together.

On another front, KCADD Public Information Officer Molly Haines and I continue to work diligently to enhance the visibility and cohesion of the ADDs' shared mission through the ongoing "Regionalism Works" campaign. The social media initiative educates the general public on the essential programs and services provided by Kentucky's ADDs while highlighting the valuable regional collaboration in addressing local needs.

As part of this ongoing effort, Molly is conducting interviews with county judge/executives, mayors, and citizen board members who have been directly impacted by the services provided through the ADDs. These interviews will be featured in short videos and human-interest stories that aim to illustrate the tangible benefits of regional development efforts.

If you are interested in participating in this campaign, we invite you to contact Molly at mhaines@kcadd.org to schedule an interview. Your perspective and experience can help us further demonstrate the meaningful impact of the ADDs across the Commonwealth.

In closing, we are once again reminded of the challenges our Commonwealth faces, as Kentucky has experienced another round of devastating flooding. Kentucky ADDs remain committed to supporting recovery efforts and stand ready to assist communities in any way we can. Our thoughts are with all affected by this disaster, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and individuals whose lives have been disrupted.

Casey Ellis

Executive Director

Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts

Gateway ADD to continue spay/neuter program

The Gateway Area Development District (GADD) has received a $100,000 grant from the Joanie Bernard Foundation to continue spaying and neutering community cats in five east-central Kentucky counties. This is the second straight year this grant, known as the Gateway Cat Spay/Neuter Project, has been awarded. The grant arose from a needs assessment of animal shelters in the northeast Kentucky region conducted by Team Shelter USA, LLC in 2023, with the goal of decreasing the number of free-roaming cats and the number of cats and kittens entering area shelters.

PuADD communities to receive LWCF funds

Four western Kentucky communities are set to receive more than $700,000 to support upgrades to local public facilities, thanks in part to the efforts of the Purchase Area Development District (PuADD).

Funding for these projects comes from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which provides matching grants to cities, counties, state, and federal agencies. Grants range from $25,000 to higher amounts and support projects such as campgrounds, picnic areas, sports and playfields, swimming facilities, boating and fishing areas, trails, natural spaces, and passive parks.

ADDs in the News

'Sunrise Spotlight' looks at BRADD's meal distribution

From News 40 WNKY

News 40 recently sat down with Mikayla Patterson, an Aging and Disability Resource Coordinator with the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD). Together, they discussed BRADD’s meal programs, aimed to give back to seniors in need.

Watch here

BGADD creates job to fight substance abuse disorder

From The Lane Report

The Bluegrass Area Development District (BGADD) is taking action to combat substance use disorder (SUD) in Central Kentucky by creating a new recovery support specialist position.

Moss among Leadership Kentucky's 2025 Class of ELEVATE Kentucky

From Leadership Kentucky

Big Sandy Area Development District Public Administration Specialist Blake Moss is among Leadership Kentucky’s 2025 Class of ELEVATE Kentucky. ELEVATE Kentucky provides young professionals with an in-depth personal and ...

LTADD accepting donations to help feed first responders

From 94.3 the Wolf

The Lincoln Trail Area Development District is supporting an effort to support first responders that have been working around the clock on search and rescue missions in the Colesburg and Lebanon Junction area.

What's Happening in Your Area Development District?

KIPDA assists The Haven Ministries with a Community Development Block Grant

The Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA) recently assisted The Haven Ministries with a Community Development Block Grant to construct a five-bedroom, two-bathroom housing unit to serve up to nine women at one time who are in recovery from substance use disorder until they obtain stable housing. The New Dawning House is located in Louisville’s Portland neighborhood, which has seen a rise in substance use disorder, addiction, and homelessness.

FIVCO launches new grant assistance initiative for communities

FIVCO is rolling out a new initiative to help communities navigate the complex world of grant funding. Grants are critical for supporting a number of projects—but applying for them can be tough.

To make the process easier, FIVCO has developed a step-by-step project guide, complete with planning tools, a checklist, and grant administration support. The goal is to equip local governments and organizations with everything they need to secure and manage funding. For more information, contact Tim Wright at tim@fivco.org or Lashawna Miller at lashawna@fivco.org, or call 606-929-1366.

Congressman Rogers hosts roundtable discussion at KRADD

Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers hosted a roundtable discussion in Hazard with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville, Huntington, and Nashville districts at the Kentucky River Area Development District office on March 7. Local elected leaders who serve eastern Kentucky counties impacted by the flooding events of 2021, 2022, and 2025 were in attendance to discuss ways to mitigate future flooding, current and successful projects by the Army Corps of Engineers, and what is still needed.

GRADD Workforce Development Board hosts EmpowerU Youth Summit

The Green River Area Development District Workforce Development Board hosted the EmpowerU Youth Summit at Owensboro Community and Technical College on March 13. Nearly 200 students from middle school to high school attended the event. Students engaged in a variety of enriching sessions, including mastering financial literacy, developing leadership skills, and getting active with fun dance lessons. Learn more here.

Pennyrile Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living hosts quarterly Advisory Council on Aging meeting

The Pennyrile Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living hosted its quarterly Advisory Council on Aging meeting March 12 at the Pennyrile Area Development District office.

Staff provided program reports and updates on agency services, while AAAIL Director Jill Collins discussed Area Plan revisions, staffing udpates, procurement for program software and service reports.

First Lady Beshear visits Capital City Activity Center

Roy McCall (pictured with the First Lady) and the team at Capital City Activity Center were honored to welcome First Lady Britainy Beshear as she joined in celebrating National Nutrition Month. A steadfast advocate for seniors, First Lady Beshear has supported Senior National Nutrition Month for several years, always making time to visit, listen, and connect with the members of the center. Her kindness and heartfelt dedication make the seniors feel truly special, reinforcing the vital role the center plays in their daily lives. The staff of the Capital City Activity Center and Bluegrass Agency on Aging and Independent Living are grateful for her unwavering support and for always championing the well-being of older adults in our community.

Kentuckians in Washington

On March 11, Kentucky’s Area Development Districts and their board members—including mayors, county judges and citizen leaders—gathered in Washington, D.C., for the ADD-sponsored "Kentuckians in Washington" event, held alongside the NADO/DDAA Conference.

We were honored to welcome members of Kentucky’s congressional delegation for breakfast and discussion, including Sen. Rand Paul and Reps. Hal Rogers, James Comer, Morgan McGarvey, Brett Guthrie and Andy Barr. It was a great opportunity to connect local leaders with federal representatives to discuss the issues that matter most to our communities.

Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts | Website