Welcome to ON TARGET, Graves County Economic Development's (GCED) bi-monthly newsletter. Here you can learn economic development updates, projects, and upcoming events. In this edition of ON TARGET we'll discuss recent events, project updates, and what we're looking forward to in the future.

Past Months' Announcements

November

Fourth Annual Targeted Business and Industry Dinner

GCED hosted our fourth annual Targeted Business and Industry dinner Thursday, November 14th. We celebrated our business and industry in Mayfield and Graves County for the jobs and investment that they provide into our community. The awards and recipients were:

• Industry Growth - Universal Compressor Solutions, Kendor Wood, A.C.E. Compressor, Dairyman's Supply, Old Hickory Clay, World Tower, and Progress Rail.
• Builder of the Year - A&K Construction.
• Business Excellence - Progress Rail Services.
• Community Impact - The Purchase Area Development District.
• Icon Award - PSI Control Solutions.

December

KAED Fall Forum Programming Supports Local Economic Development Efforts

Graves County Economic Development staff attended the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) forum in early December. The agenda included remarks from Gov. Andy Beshear and programs on a wide variety of topics such as how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact Kentucky’s workforce, the best ways to promote foreign trade zones and the role of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative.

“We are grateful for the leadership at KAED, their President Terri Bradshaw and her team for putting together such a great event,” said Jason Lemle, GCED President.

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View the forum highlight video HERE for a recap of the outstanding event. 

State Leaders Provide Legislative Update for

Plant Manager Roundtable 

Keeping the lines of communication open between the Kentucky State Legislature and local business leaders, GCED recently hosted District 1 Sen. Jason Howell and District 2 Rep. Richard Heath as featured speakers at the December Plant Managers Roundtable in Mayfield.

Sen. Howell and Rep. Heath provided overviews on the following topics:

• Murray State Vet School
• Regional Jail
• Sales Tax
• Transportation & Infrastructure
• Workforce

Local business leaders have gathered for GCED’s Plant Managers Roundtable meetings six times over the past year and the forum is expected to continue in 2025. Email Jason for more information about the Plant Managers' Roundtable.

January

 GCED Partners with Educators and Employers to

Shape Future Workforce 

Community Connections to Focus on Business and Health Care

Students interested in careers in business and engineering will be the next to benefit from the new Career Connections program.

The goal of this initiative is to introduce students to business and industry opportunities in Mayfield and Graves County and help them to forge relationships with businesses that can translate to internship placements for their senior year. 

Business students from both Mayfield and Graves County will visit several local businesses including Awardmasters, Jonah Brown, the Graves County Health Department, Greer Neon and Majestic Steak House.

Graves County students interested in engineering will visit Youngblood Excavating & Contracting and Bacon, Farmer and Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc.

Community Connections was developed with community partners including the school districts, Graves County Economic Development, Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Mayfield, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the West Kentucky Workforce Board. 

Strong Spring Schedule for Power in Partnership 

GCED and the Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center (ATC) have an outstanding list of programs scheduled for local students through the new Power in Partnership program.

Power In Partnership brings experienced career professionals to the Technology Center to share information and insights with students who are interested in their particular discipline. Students learn about pay/benefits, advancement/progression, training needed after high school and many other crucial details that help them understand and prepare for future employment. 

The early spring schedule features presenters from First Kentucky Bank who will discuss accounting, J. Brewer Electric, LLC staff who will meet with students studying electricity and Youngblood Excavating & Contracting who will brief ATC’s welding students. Upcoming programs will focus on machine and tool, carpentry and computer science.

According to GCED President Jason Lemle, the benefits of Power in Partnership are two-fold: “First and foremost, we want to make sure our future workforce is aware of and excited about the range of career opportunities available here in Mayfield and Graves County. Second, we want these students to have a path to success for themselves and to become valued contributors to our local business and industry.”  

Thanks to the following companies who devoted time and resources to benefit our ATC students in 2024:

• WKRECC
• Progress Rail Services
• Centrifugal Technologies Inc.
• Power Truss
• FNB Bank
• Williams, Williams, & Lentz
• Fox & Co CPAs
• PSI Control Solutions
• Universal Technologies Inc.
• Universal Compressor Solutions
• Bill Adams Construction
• Usher, Inc.
• DevSource

Dale Usher from Usher, Inc. spoke to ATC’s upper-level electricity students.

Jeremy Blackford from DevSource Technology Solutions spoke to the ATC computer programming classes.

February

West Kentucky Thank You Night Reception

Graves County Economic Development staff will be among several local business and community leaders attending the West Kentucky Thank You Night Reception on February 13th in Frankfort.

The purpose of the event is to express appreciation to the administration and House and Senate members for their past, present and future support for West Kentucky’s projects and programs and to spotlight our region. Guests will include members of the General Assembly, Cabinet officials and other dignitaries. 

While in Frankfort, GCED’s President Jason Lemle will meet with newly-elected District 2 State Rep. Kim Holloway, and with leaders at Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Kentucky Product Development Initiative. Both agencies provide vital support for local economic development initiatives. 

West Kentucky Thank You Night is hosted by the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance and the Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwest Kentucky (C-LINK) that represent Chambers of Commerce in Western Kentucky.

Skybox Partners' Celebration

GCED is excited to announce its Skybox Partners Celebration will be held February 27th. This annual event recognizes contributors who help Mayfield and Graves County be ON TARGET for success.

For any questions please call Jason at (270) 804-1617 or send an email to jason@gravescountyed.com