Collaboration Fuels Kentucky Retail Growth

Collaboration Fuels Kentucky Retail Growth

Kentucky Power and One East Kentucky have launched a collaborative effort to boost the retail sector through a multi-county, multi-city retail recruitment project. This initiative, fueled by a $270,000 grant from Kentucky Power, aims to rejuvenate downtown areas across Eastern Kentucky. The primary goal is to create vibrant, economically resilient communities that can attract new businesses, increase local investments, and grow small businesses.

“As we work at One East Kentucky to attract new industries to our region, vibrant downtowns and strong retail sectors make us more attractive for manufacturers to invest here,” said Colby, Kirk, president and CEO of One East Kentucky.

As part of the project, the organization partnered with Retail Strategies, a national firm specializing in developing retail plans for communities. The collaboration focuses on several cities and counties, including Inez (Martin County), Prestonsburg (Floyd County), Jenkins and Whitesburg (Letcher County), Hazard (Perry County), and Pikeville (Pike County). The cities play an essential role in shaping the future of the region, as the project encourages local governments, business owners, and community stakeholders to create definitive plans to attract retail investments.

The multi-city interplay highlights the importance of regional cooperation. By collaborating, cities and counties can share resources, align their goals, and foster a unified vision for Eastern Kentucky’s economic future. Kentucky Power's involvement, along with One East Kentucky's expertise in economic development, ensures a structured approach to revitalization, while Retail Strategies provides detailed, practical plans based on local needs and national best practices.

This project lays the foundation for long-term retail growth across the region, with an ultimate goal of driving population retention and creating new jobs. By revitalizing downtown areas and making them more attractive to both residents and businesses, the effort will strengthen community ties and promote economic sustainability in rural Kentucky.