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, last year's achievements, project updates, and what we're looking forward to in the future.

Past Months' Announcements

July

GCED presented Project Precision and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Workforce Invest grant for the purchase of a Computer Numerical Controls (CNC) mill to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. CNC operation skills are critical for many businesses of Mayfield an Graves County. Multiple regional partners came together for this project to purchase a CNC mill for the Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center (ATC). Students will receive this certification through the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) exam. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour training course will also be a part of this pathway to further add to the students' credentials. Thank you to our education, community, economic development, and industry partners which made this possible: Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center, Graves County Schools, Mayfield Independent Schools, Carlisle County Schools, Four Rivers Foundation, Tennessee Valley Authority Economic Development, VisionFirst Advisors, West Kentucky Educational Cooperative, West Kentucky Workforce Board, A.C.E. Compressor, Fran Bearing, LSK Inc., Universal Compressor Solutions, Progress Rail Services, and Osmundson Mfg. Co.

August

GCED hosted our fourth plant managers' roundtable for the business and industry leadership and community partners to discuss the new Community Connections initiative with the local schools. This new program aims to communicate business and industry opportunities to our local and regional high school juniors, this way we can share these options with them before their senior year. We are seeking to increase both field trips to industry and access to internships. For this effort we sent out a survey in partnership with the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce. Katie Beth McCord, Executive Director of the Chamber, held a discussion with City of Mayfield Special Projects Administrator, Justin Carrico, to discuss Community Connections on a special episode of the Mayfield Minute. Please take the survey below if you haven't already. For more information about Community Connections, please view the special edition of the Mayfield Minute.

GCED spoke at Graves County School's opening day kickoff. The schools unveiled their new logo and mission statement, Pursuing Excellence Together.

September

The Area Technology Center and GCED are partnering on a new program called Power In Partnership to have industry professionals speak to the students. The discussions include information about pay/benefits, advancement/progression, training needed after high school, what a typical day might look like, and other key details to help students understand what a career in the specific field would look like. Recent speakers have included professionals from West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation for the electricity pathway, Progress Rail for the welding students, Centrifugal Technologies Inc. for the Machine/Tool program, & Power Truss for the carpentry students. Thank you to all our participating businesses for helping these students understand your field and the opportunities in our area. 

The Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual dinner Tuesday, September 17th.

GCED is attending the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) conference to serve on a panel discussion about the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) awards for GCED including $110,000 for a 150,000 square foot pad, a 150,000 square foot speculative building, and improvement of a 50 acre site by grading a 500,000 square foot pad. The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (KCED) and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) worked to make KPDI possible. Please click on the links below to learn more about these organizations.

We are celebrating the service of our board members and welcoming new members and officers! A big thank you to Mr. Brad Dame for his service and commitment as Chairman for the past four years. His term as chair concludes at the end of the month. Mr. Ricky Binkley will take on the role of Chairman. We welcome Mrs. Sally Hopkins as the new Vice Chair of the board. Mr. Matt Scoggins will assume the role of the Secretary/Treasurer. We have four board members whose terms are set to expire at the end of the month. Mr. Richard Heath has served GCED dutifully since 2013, Mr. John Anderson has served the board for five years, WK&T has a standing position on the GCED board which has been held by Mr. Trevor Bonnstetter since 2015 now Mr. Kevin Wiggins is stepping into that seat, and Mrs. Shea Weaks has served for the past two years. Thank you for your service to GCED and this community. We welcome Mr. Stephen Powell, Mr. Kevin Wiggins, Mr. Justin Suiter, and Mr. Gavin Williams to the board.

Recognition of service to

Mr. Richard Heath

Recognition of service to Chairman Brad Dame

Recognition of service to

Mr. John Anderson

October

  October is national manufacturing month! We are so thankful for our manufacturers who provide jobs and investment for our community! This sector employs over 2100 workers, accounting for over 15% of all jobs in Mayfield and Graves County. GCED is looking to understand the growth of our existing targeted business and industries, please complete this survey if you haven't already.

We will have the next Plant Managers' Roundtable Discussion meeting on October 15th. This meeting will feature a presentation from WKRECC about grid reliability. GCED will discuss the new Community Connections initiative.

For any questions please call Garrett Clark at (270)804-8224 or send an email to garrett@gravescountyed.com