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From the Executive Director's Desk | February 2026
The Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts (KCADD) held its annual legislative event at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort on Feb. 12. The event, which coincides with our quarterly board meeting, gives Area Development District (ADD) staff and board members the opportunity to meet with legislators and discuss the issues that will advance regionalization to its full potential. Both events were productive, with a number of lawmakers joining us for lunch and extended conversation about the work unfolding in their home regions.
Those discussions reflected the strength of Kentucky’s regional model – a structure built more than five decades ago to help communities plan beyond county lines and respond collectively to shared challenges. In a time of rapid growth and rising demand for services, that model remains essential.
For the 2026 legislative session, KCADD is focused on sustaining and strengthening the framework that allows ADDs to serve as trusted planning and service partners.
We are seeking a $5.5 million investment in the Joint Funding Administration (JFA) – the streamlined funding mechanism managed by the Department for Local Government that unifies state and federal resources for the state’s 15 ADDs – while maintaining $250,000 each in Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Authority support. When the General Assembly increased JFA funding to $4 million in fiscal year 2023-24, the statewide project list delivered through the ADD network tripled, expanding planning and technical assistance for local governments across Kentucky. A $1.4 million increase would restore the program to its 1980 and 1991 funding levels when adjusted for inflation – still below the inflation-adjusted 1987 peak. The request reflects restoration of capacity, ensuring communities retain access to professional expertise.
KCADD is also requesting $2.55 million annually to fund water management planning services and maintain the Water Resource Information System through the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority. That amount reflects the actual cost of meeting contract requirements. Years of flat funding have required ADDs to shift dollars from other programs, reducing capacity in critical service areas.
Finally, we are advocating for $20 million annually to sustain the Senior Nutrition Program at current service levels. Record fiscal year 2025-26 investments have driven unprecedented demand. These meals support health, independence and stability for older Kentuckians. Eliminating the wait list would require $38.3 million annually.
The conversations in Frankfort underscored a simple truth: regional collaboration remains one of Kentucky’s most effective tools for meeting local needs with statewide impact.
Sincerely,
Casey Ellis
Executive Director
Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts
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