06/23/2026
SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE CENTER, INC.
515 Weber St.
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Office: (270) 885-8885
www.yourlocalstartupcenter.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2026
MEDI Announces New Name, New Address and Expanded Mission as Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development Resource Center, Inc.
HOPKINSVILLE, KY — After more than 35 years of dedicated service to entrepreneurs, small, minority- and women-owned businesses, and underserved communities throughout Hopkinsville and Christian County, Minority Economic Development Initiative of Western Kentucky, Inc. a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization — widely known as MEDI — is proud to announce its transition to a new name:Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development Resource Center, Inc.
The new name reflects both the organization’s historic legacy and its future-forward vision to serve an evolving economy, changing communities, and a new generation of entrepreneurs.Founded more than three decades ago, MEDI was established to address disparities in economic opportunity, workforce development, and provide business development resources, technical assistance, and pathways to ownership for historically underserved populations, especially minorities.
The organization began in the late 1980s as a committee within what was then known as the Economic Development Council, later the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council. It then transitioned into a committee under the Christian County Chamber, formerly known as the Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of CommerceInitially founded in 1988 as the Small Minority Economic Development Committee, it became the Minority Economic Development Initiative in 1991, affectionately known throughout the community, region and statewide as MEDI.
In 2009, MEDI successfully spun off from the Christian County Chamber delivering a record year of performance leveraging more than $1 million in capital investment and helping to create more than 60 new jobs.Over the years, the organization has worked in partnership with federal, state, and local organizations to assist startups, small businesses, nonprofits, and community members through training, education, counseling, leadership development, access to capital, technical assistance, and economic empowerment programs.
This includes serving as an USDA Rural Development’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program grantee, SBA Strategic Alliance Partner, Boots to Business Program trainer at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, and Kentucky Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment Council member.As entrepreneurship continues to evolve in today’s economy — influenced by technology, workforce shifts, rural and urban economic challenges, policy changes, and the growing demand for inclusive business support — the organization recognized the importance of expanding its identity to reflect the broad scope of services it provides.
The organization’s commitment to small, minority-, and woman-owned business development for economic empowerment remains central to its mission, even as its name expands to reflect its broader range of entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits, and communities it serves.“This is not a departure from our legacy — it is the growth and continuation of it,” said Board Chair Retired Colonel Reginald Davis. “Our mission has always been about serving on a local level creating opportunity, building sustainable businesses, strengthening communities, and helping people move from ideas to ownership.
This new name better reflects who we are today and where we are headed tomorrow.”Davis also recognized the leadership of Executive Director Henry Snorton III, III, CEcD, CFC, who serves as only the organization’s fifth director since its foundation. Previous directors include Patricia Morris, Pat Tisdale-Bailey, Shanika Merritt, and Ron Sydnor.
Under its new name, the Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development Resource Center, Inc. will continue providing services in areas including: Small business development, Entrepreneurial training and coaching, Economic and community development, Youth entrepreneurship, Leadership development, Financial literacy, Business planning and technical assistance, and Access-to-capital preparation.
As the organization enters this next chapter, it remains committed to serving Hopkinsville and Christian County with excellence, integrity, innovation, and impact.The Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development Resource Center, Inc. now located at 515 Weber St., downtown Hopkinsville welcomes continued support from community members, public and private partners, businesses, funders, volunteers, and stakeholders who believe in expanding opportunity, strengthening small businesses, and building a stronger regional economy.
To support, serve, volunteer, partner, or learn more, contact Executive Director Henry Snorton, III, CEcD, CFC at (270) 885-8885 office or (270) 839-3426 mobile.
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