November & December | Issue 2 | |
The Graves County Economic Development Update | |
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 grant awards, project updates, recent events, and what we're looking forward to in the future. | |
Past Months' Announcements | |
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) awarded GCED a Workforce Invest Grant that will go towards the Area Technology Center (ATC) for Project Precision. This Grant will fund the purchase of a Computer Numerical Controls (CNC) mill and updates to existing lathes and other machine equipment. A new CNC operator pathway will be created for ATC students to pursue. This project will bolster the ATC's machine tool certification program to help our students develop the skills to find jobs right out of school. GCED, the ATC, machine and tool shops in the area, and the centrifugal air compressor industry are partnering for this project. | GCED announced a 150,000 square foot speculative building which is expected to be finish in November 2024. All of the earthwork has been completed and the site is now graded. This speculative building will be located in the Hickory Industrial Park. This project is being completed as a partnership between GCED and Waldrop & Waldrop LLC., which is the first public-private partnership in the 42 year history of GCED. Receiving funding from the first round of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI), this project was awarded $890,670. |  |  | Phase One of the Exit 25 Interchange enhancement project is complete, and the bridge has now been painted. The bridge was painted by M&M Decorating with oversight from Artisan Contractors. GCED kicked off the first phase in September with a luncheon to celebrate the businesses that made the project possible. Phase two was completed on October 26th, with the planting of redbuds, azaleas, and crepe myrtles. The project was made possible through the contributions of local businesses. This creates a new gateway into our community to enhance the driving experience in Mayfield and Graves County. | |
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GCED hosted third our annual Targeted Business and Industry Dinner to present awards to our community partners and existing targeted industries within Graves County. We celebrate their creation of jobs, investment into the community, and dedication to economic development in Graves County! This year's awards and recipients were:
- Industry Growth Awards - Universal Compressor Solutions, PRCO, HVAC Distributing LLC., Centrifugal Technologies Inc., Pilgrim's Pride, C&C Ag Solutions, A.C.E. Compressor, and World Tower.
- Newcomer Award - Osmundson Mfg. Co.
- Builder of the Year - Bill Adams Construction, Inc.
- Business Excellence - Kendor Wood Inc.
- Community Impact - Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
- Icon Award - Old Hickory Clay Company
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GCED sponsored the Mayfield Graves County Chamber of Commerce's business and industry breakfast. The breakfast featured a panel discussion with Karen Jackson-Furman of WK&T, Ward Morgan of JPEC, Justin McCann from WKRECC, Emily Moore-Jones from TVA Economic Development (TVA ED), and Ryan Bates of Atmos Energy. Topics discussed included how utilities work to support communities, how they promote economic development, industrial recruitment, and challenges faced by the local utilities. Total attendance for the event numbered 110. | |
November is national veterans and military families month, and we would like to thank all of our veterans for their service to The United States of America. Graves County is home to over 750 veterans, with a labor force participation rate of 61.15%. This rate is lower than the statewide Kentucky veteran labor force participation rate of 72.3%. This is in turn lower that the national veteran labor force participation rate of 76.8%. | |
In the wake of the Tornado devastation, this community has made leaps and bounds in the recovery over the course of the challenges faced in the past two years. Businesses damaged from the storm, Pilgrim's Pride, World Tower, Hutson Inc., and Mayfield Consumer Products (MCP), have reinvested over $90 million dollars and hired over 600 workers since the storm. Mayfield Machine and Tool has fully rehabilitated their facility. This year we've seen multiple expansions from our other industries totaling over $9 million and creating over 45 new jobs. This community has arose to the call to face all of its trials head on and has risen further above them. | |
Courthouse Rebuilding Groundbreaking | |
December 11th
The Graves County Fiscal Court with assistance from GCED are holding their groundbreaking ceremony for the new courthouse. This is scheduled for the first Monday immediately after the two year anniversary for the December 10th, 2021 Tornado that led to the destruction of the previous courthouse.
| Skybox Partner's Celebration | |
February 2024
Day & Location TBD
This is an event to celebrate our Skybox Partner's who invest into GCED and the Mayfield and Graves County community. Thank you to all of our Skybox Partners for everything that you do to support economic development, create jobs, and promote quality of life in Graves County.
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For any questions please call Garrett Clark at (270)804-8224 or send an email to garrett@gravescountyed.com |
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