SPEDA

09/30/2026

Nine local high school students joined SPEDA in August to talk honestly about their hometown: what they love, what’s missing and what would make them want to build their lives here after finishing their education.

During the conversation, led by SPEDA interns Madeline Butcher and Kennedy Woodall, the students said they would appreciate having more life skills training, jobs and places to gather.

Read more about our annual focus group, which is part of our summer internship capstone project: https://somersetkyleads.com/life-skills-jobs-and-places-to-gather-are-top-priorities-for-students-during-annual-speda-focus-group/

09/17/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT >> The SPEDA Community Foundation, SPEDA’s nonprofit arm, has received $15,000 from Norfolk Southern through its Thriving Communities Grant Program to support beautification efforts at Somerset Veterans Memorial Park.

“This grant will help us keep the park beautiful and welcoming for servicemen and women as they visit in reflection, for the families who come to find the name of a loved one no longer with us, or for anyone who just needs a place to sit and enjoy our beautiful downtown," SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said.

Read more about the grant: https://somersetkyleads.com/speda-community-foundation-receives-norfolk-southern-grant-veterans-park/

08/27/2026

As we prepared this year's impact report, we kept coming back to the same realization: While many people have heard of SPEDA, not everyone knows exactly what we do or why it matters.

That is understandable, and why we chose this direction for our annual publication. This report highlights the who, what, why and how behind SPEDA's work, and answers some fundamental questions:

What is SPEDA?
What does SPEDA do?
How is SPEDA funded?

We also offer insight into the ways we work to support the local economy — quality of life and place, workforce development, site development, entrepreneurship, retention, and, of course, recruitment.

We hope you will spend some time with this document and share it with anyone who wants to learn more about economic development efforts in our community. At the end of the day, everything we do is focused on making Somerset-Pulaski County a better place — one where people want to invest, work, visit and locate.

The numbers speak for themselves. Somerset-Pulaski County is thriving, and we're just getting started.

Read the report: https://somersetkyleads.com/impact-report/

08/17/2026

A strong aviation sector is crucial for successful economic development — connecting communities to new opportunities, supporting business growth and making our region more competitive.

SPEDA appreciates the newly formed Lake Cumberland Aviation Association and its proactive work to promote the Lake Cumberland Regional Airport and strengthen the aviation industry.

The association recently welcomed Kentucky Aviation Commissioner Todd Case, who shared updates on aviation projects and investments taking place across the region and throughout the Commonwealth.

SPEDA President & CEO Chris Girdler attended the meeting and is pictured with Commissioner Case and former Kentucky Aviation Commissioners Mark Carter and Paul Steely.

We’re excited to see this new organization bringing together aviation leaders and advocates to build on one of our community’s important economic development assets.

08/14/2026

ICYMI: Another reason to celebrate The Capital of Lake Cumberland!

Lake Cumberland’s recognition as one of USA TODAY’s 10Best lakes is a win for our entire region — and a reminder of what’s possible when we work together to promote one of our greatest assets.

Tourism is a powerful economic driver, and regional collaboration continues to attract visitors and create opportunities throughout southern Kentucky.

Congratulations to our tourism partners, who work tirelessly to tell the Lake Cumberland story!

Turns out we're kind of a big deal. 🏆 Lake Cumberland landed a spot on USA TODAY's Top 10 Best Lakes in the U.S. — again.

Thank you to everyone who voted, boated, fished, hiked, and fell in love with this place all over again. Here's to many more unforgettable memories on America's favorite lake.

08/12/2026

They started young, took a few chances and learned as they went. More than three decades later, Dwight and Barbara Sears have built two businesses rooted in hard work, strong relationships and the belief that if you surround yourself with good people, good things will happen.

In the latest installment of our SPEDA Entrepreneur Video Series, Dwight and Barbara share the story of Davis HVAC Experts and Silent Guard — from joining the family business right out of high school, to taking a leap of faith and purchasing the security division Dwight managed in 2000.

Since then, the growth has been remarkable. Davis HVAC continues to serve the Lake Cumberland region, while Silent Guard has expanded from a small residential operation into a commercial and industrial security company with products and services in 17 states.

And now, the couple's son Taylor is helping lead the next generation, bringing new focus and vision to the family businesses while building on the foundation his parents created.

For Dwight and Barbara, the reward still comes back to something much simpler than growth. It's about helping people and doing something every day to make someone's life better.

Watch the Sears family’s story.

07/21/2026

Say hi to SPEDA's summer interns! 👋

We're thrilled to have two local students serving in this role this year. SPEDA's interns get hands-on experience in office management and event coordination while getting an up-close look at the work an economic development organization provides for a community.

Introducing:

Kennedy Woodall, a Southwestern High School graduate attending Western Kentucky University in the fall to major in business economics

and

Madeline Butcher, a Pulaski County High School graduate attending Lindsey Wilson University in the fall to major in biology and play basketball

These two young women will lead our annual intern focus group at the beginning of August, so be on the lookout for the perspective they share about the future of our community! 💡

07/17/2026

Somerset and Pulaski County have welcomed a wave of new commercial and retail investment in recent years, bringing businesses that offer more choices and opportunities for residents throughout the Lake Cumberland region.

Rural King was one of those new businesses. From serving farmers and outdoor enthusiasts to families and homeowners, they've quickly become an important part of the local retail landscape.

SPEDA has been proud to work alongside General Manager Terry Dozier throughout the process of locating in Somerset, and we're grateful for his partnership. We look forward to seeing Rural King continue to grow and serve The Capital of Lake Cumberland for years to come.

07/15/2026

A reminder that the search for SPEDA's next President & CEO is still underway, and applications are being accepted through 4 p.m. ET on July 31.

The position is posted in full on SPEDA's website at https://somersetkyleads.com/opportunities/ and across all of its social media platforms.

The SPEDA Board of Directors will conduct a comprehensive search process and review all applications before scheduling interviews. A selection is expected in fall 2026.