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Kyndle – the Kentucky Network for Development, Leadership and Engagement – provides economic
development and industrial recruitment leadership for the citizens, businesses and governments of
Henderson, McLean, Union and Webster counties in Northwest Kentucky. Kyndle also serves as the
chamber of commerce for Henderson County while supporting the efforts of other area chambers.
Kyndle’s focus is on the growth and prosperity of the region and its people.
Economic Development
2015 End of Year Report
2015 business attraction outreach activity included direct marketing and visits with site
consultants, monthly newsletters, trade show attendance, marketing trip and Kentucky Cabinet for
Economic Development project manager meetings.
Site consultants
• Kyndle’s economic development team attended eight site consultant events
in six different markets including Dallas, Chicago(3), Las Vegas, Atlanta,
Hopkinsville and Richmond KY.
• Monthly site consultant newsletter was sent to over 800 site consultants
discussing current events in our region as well as featured available
properties.
Hood Harris, President of AT&T
Kentucky, is joined by Kyndle CEO
Brad Schneider and representatives of
the four county region to announce the
AT&T Fiber Ready designation
for 4 Star Industrial Park.
Pittsburg Tank & Tower celebrated the
groundbreaking of an expansion at its
existing headquarters in Henderson.
Pictured from left are Suze Oliver, Ben
Johnston, Levi Johnston, Don Johnston,
Chris Johnston, Donald Johnston and
Denise Johnston, all members of the
ownership family.
Trade shows attended
• Medical Design & Manufacturing Show (MD&M) in Anaheim, CA - the
world’s largest medical technology design and manufacturing event. Five
other trade shows held in conjunction with MD&M: Automation Technology
(ATX), Electronics West, Pacific Design & Manufacturing, Plastec West.
• SelectUSA in Washington DC – Kyndle partnered with the Kentucky
Economic Development Council to staff a booth at SelectUSA, a federal
level event designed to showcase the United States as the world’s premier
business location and to provide easy access to federal-level programs and
services related to business investment
• International Food Trade Show in Chicago
• AutoVision 2015 – Kentucky’s first trade show designed to showcase the
State’s automotive industry
• Pack Expo, Las Vegas
• Fabtech, Chicago
Marketing trip
• Dallas – met with four companies that expressed interest in learning more
about the opportunities of doing business in Kentucky.
Regional Job Fair
A regional job fair was held on January 29, 2015 as a result of Patriot Coal Corp. issuing a layoff notice
to about 670 employees at the Highland mining complex near Waverly and the Dodge Hill mining
complex near Sturgis. Forty regional employers turned out to speak with hundreds of job seekers at
this well-attended job fair held at Henderson Community College.
KCED Staff Visits
Kyndle visited with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (KCED) staff twice during 2015. The
first meeting was to update project managers on improvements made to existing buildings or industrial
properties as well as inform them of new properties that had become available. Greg Pritchett, director of
the Henderson Riverport Authority, joined us on the second visit to discuss opportunities at the Henderson
Riverport Industrial Park.
Economic Development 101
Kyndle hosted an ED101 seminar in January for those interested in learning more about how economic
development works at the local and state levels. Presenters included Kyndle CEO Brad Schneider,
Kentucky Association of Economic Development Director Hal Goode, Kentucky Cabinet for Ecnomic
Development Deputy Commissioner John Bevington and other key experts.
2015
Economic Development by the Numbers
Kyndle tracks two key metrics to measure the success of our economic developments efforts - new jobs we
helped create and capital investment associated with those jobs. We only count jobs we help recruit to the area,
jobs created when we help an existing company expand, or jobs saved when we help a company stay here
when they otherwise may have moved. Kyndle's assistance may come in several forms, including securing state
or local financial aid or incentives, finding a building or site, navigating the codes/zoning/permitting process, or job
fairs. And we count the jobs and investment only after a company has announced them publicly. The numbers
for 2015 were:
Total jobs announced - 454
Total investment announced - 76.2 million
2011 - 2015
In 2011, as part of its Opportunity 2016 capital campaign,
Northwest Kentucky Forward (now Kyndle) set goals of 2,000
new jobs and $150 million in investment for the five years in
which investors were asked to support local economic
development efforts. The campaign officially ends June 30,
2016. Here's where Kyndle stands in reaching those five-year
goals:
Total jobs announced - 2,066
Total investment announced - $212 million
Chris Graves, V.P. of Operations for Tyson Foods, announces that the
company will expand at its Robards facility, creating 91 new jobs and
invest $8.25 million to upgrade equipment and add processing
capacity.
2015 Announced Projects
Chamber of Commerce
2015 End of Year Report
Kyndle is the chamber of commerce of Henderson
County and partners with the chambers in Union,
Webster and McLean counties on projects and
issues of mutual interest. Kyndle's Commerce
Council oversees Kyndle's chamber activities, which
are guided by the work of the Government Affairs,
Agriculture, Education/Workforce, Taking Care of
Business, Industrial Liaison and Ambassador
committees. Highlights of their work in 2015 included:
Mark Weaver of Weaver, Dalton & Associates leads a panel
discussion at the Kyndle leadership nonprofit seminar
Information:
• Kyndle held over 13 topic-oriented breakfasts and lunches for stakeholders. Featured speakers in 2015
were Warren Beeler, director of Ag Policy for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture; Eric Gregory, president of the
Kentucky Distillers Association; Lloyd Winnecke, Mayor of the City of Evansville; Mike Hancock, Secretary of the
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet; Scott Wylie, director of the Vanderburgh Community Foundation; Steve Chandler,
owner of ChandlerThinks; David Adkisson, CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; David Matthews, owner of
David Matthews Associates; Steve Austin, Mayor of the City of Henderson; Hugh McCormick, Henderson County
Judge-Executive; state representatives Dr. David Watkins, Jim Gooch and Suzanne Miles, and state senators Dorsey
Ridley and Joe Bowen. • Kyndle hosted 16 Brown Bag Series lectures on issues and items important to stakeholders, including media
relations strategies, use of drones in small business, local holiday shopping options, credit card security
chips, top ten IT mistakes and facilitative leadership
• Kyndle helped produce four issues of the Henderson Business Magazine, 12 Gleaner Business Spotlight pages, 52
weekly e-newsletters and 52 Kyndle Connection radio shows on WSON to highlight stakeholder news, events and
awards.
• Kyndle CEO Brad Schneider launched a weekly blog, 10 Things I Think You Need to Know, designed to highlight
news, anecdotes and insights he belives will be of interest to stakeholders.
• Kyndle's website, www.kyndle.us, had 17,490 visits in 2015 and was named the state's best in its class by the
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Services:
• Kyndle hosted its second annual Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, a month-long instructional program for those
interested in starting or expanding small businesses. The camp culminated in the Fire Pit Pitch contest, modeled after
the ABC TV show "Shark Tank." • Kyndle continues to service as a satellite location for Murray State University's Small Business Development Center
and the Kentucky Innovation Network, which provide free entrepreneurship coaching and support. • Kyndle and One Life Church hosted the second annual Kyndle Leadership Series, which included seminars on
Business Leadership and NonProfit Leadership. More than 125 participants registered. The Community Foundation of
Henderson organized the program for the nonprofit seminar.
• Kyndle held numerous ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings to help businesses celebrate and promote grand
openings, new construction, new membership in Kyndle, or other milestones.
Advocacy:
• After many years helping lead the charge for the creation of Interstate 69 in Kentucky, Kyndle helped celebrate in
November the conversion of 42 miles of the Pennyrile Parkway as I-69. Two-thirds of the corridor in Kentucky has now
been designated as interstate, and Kyndle continues to play a lead role in pushing for the completion of the I-69
project, including the building of its Ohio River bridge. • As part of BridgeLink and Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwest Kentucky (C-LINK), Kyndle participated in
meetings with gubernatorial candidates Matt Bevin and Jack Conway to update them on I-69 and other topics of
regional interest. • Kyndle, in partnership with the Downtown Henderson Partnership and Henderson Tourism Commission,
successfully advocated to update an antiquated Henderson city alcohol ordinance. The change could lead to an
increase in the number of events or festivals held downtown. • Kyndle helped advocate for the passage of a local measure that will bolster Henderson County Public Schools'
ability to replace, repair and renovate aging infrastructure over the next 20 years and continue to offer students a
first-class educational experience. • Kyndle's Farm to Table dinner, designed to promote awareness of the Henderson County Farmer's Market and the
importance of agriculture in our regional economy, sold out for the third straight year.
• Kyndle celebrated excellence in our communities by holding several awards events, including the new Nonprofit of
the Year Award breakfast.
• The Henderson County chapter of Imagination Library, administered and funded by the Kyndle Education
Foundation, surpassed the 1,000 mark in number of children enrolled. Imagination Library encourages love
of reading by offering age-appropriate books to kids ages 0 to 5 regardless of their families' means.
Kyndle by the Numbers:
• Total Stakeholders: 637
• Brown Bag Series lectures: 16
• Networking events: 19
• Ribbon Cuttings/Groundbreakings: 18
• Gift Certficate Sales: Over $50,000
• Years serving as the chamber of commerce for Henderson County: 99
Award and Contest Winners:
• Agriculture Awards: Agriculturalist of the Year, Craig Gibson;
Lifetime Achievement in Agriculture, David Alexander
• Distinguished Citizens of the Year: Chuck and Donna Stinnett
• Educator of the Year: Emily Johnston West
• Ambassador of the Year: Susan Sauls
• Nonprofit Awards: Nonprofit of the Year, Matthew 25; Volunteers of the Year: Debbie Edwards, St. Anthony's
Hospice (Henderson County); Rev. Jerry and Janette Manning, St. Anthony's Hospice (Union County); James
"Chip" Palmer, Providence Community Food Bank (Webster County); and Patty Jefferies, Girl Scouts of
America (McLean County)
• Fire Pit Pitch Contest - Jean Carver with ReadingWorks
• Industry of the Year - Pittsburg Tank and Tower
• Small Business of the Year: Branson Surveys Inc (0-10 Employees) and Colonial Assisted and Independent
Thank you
Policy Board, Council and Committee Members
Kyndle offers sincere gratitude to the members of our Policy Board, councils and committees for all their hard work. We
especially thank our Kyndle Ambassadors, volunteers who act as liaisons between our staff and stakeholders, help out
at events and assist any time we need them. This year would not have been as successful without everyone’s hard work
and dedication.
Policy Board 2016
Garland Certain, United Community Bank, Chair
Dr. Kris Williams, Henderson Community College, Vice Chair
Rick Tappan, Dempewolf Ford
Scott Davis, Field & Main Bank, Treasurer
Jim Townsend, Webster County Judge Executive
Eddie Melton, Melton Farms
Joel Hopper, Brenntag
David Scott
Lin Shannon, Fine & Hatfield
Commerce Council 2016
Brent Bridges, Methodist Hospital, Chair
Bob McIndoo, Windmere Farms
Cary Hicks, McLean County Extension Office
Cory Bridges, Independence Bank
David McGan, McGan Business Solutions
David Salisbury, Henderson Church of Christ
Holly Dixon, Bent Creek Golf Community
Janet Hortin, JD Byrider
Julie Wischer, Henderson County Schools
Dr. Kate Baker, Baker Chiropractic
Evan Dixon, Field & Main Bank
Lisa Leslie, Old National Bank
Mark Moser, E&M Heating & Air Conditioning
Michael Hunt, Sacramento Deposit Bank
Mike Freels, Murray State University
Travis Girten, Harding & Shymanski & Co.
Monte Davenport, Independence Bank
Nyra Syers-Ford, Earle C. Clements Job Corps
Gary Dennis, Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
Logan Tompkins, Tompkins Hauling & Excavating
Economic Development Council 2016
Debbie Gray, LGE-KU, Chair
David Hamilton, Kenergy Corp., Vice Chair
Bill Latta, Latta Insurance
Jim Davis, Independence Bank
Sharla Austin, Big Rivers Electric Corp.
Greg Pritchett, Henderson County Riverport
Curt Hamilton, Curt Hamilton Injury Law
Joe Milazzo, Henderson Community College
Eric Coffman, Tyson Foods
Aimee Newberry, McLean County Public Library
Garrick Thompson, Union County First
Mike Obert, Old National Bank
Mike Farris
Wade Williams, Williams Farms/Home Center
Jim Crouse, Webster Co. EDC
Paul Bird, Henderson Insurance Servcies
Mike Vickers, American Engineers, Inc.
Large Investor Council 2016
Doug Bell, Field & Main Bank, Chair
Kim Humphrey, River View Coal , Vice Chair
Bob Berry, Big Rivers Corporation
Bruce Begley, Methodist Hospitalet
Butch Branson, LE2,LLC
Butch Puttman, Henderson County Fiscal Court
Clay Troutman, McLean County Fiscal Court
Dorsey Ridley, Independence Bank
George Phillips, Brenntag
Hugh McCormick, Henderson County Judge Executive
Jerri Floyd, Union County Fiscal Court
Jim Townsend, Webster County Judge Executive
Jody Jenkins, Union County Judge Executive
Karen Cecil, Century Aluminum - Sebree
Keith Schultheis, Audubon Metals
Kelly Thurman, McLean County Judge Executive
Michael Roane, Fifth Third Bank
Steve Austin, Mayor - City of Henderson
Steve Whitsell, Webster County EDC
Tammy Konsler, Henderson Municipal Power & Light
Tommy Dempewolf, Dempewolf Ford
Tony Felker, Webster County Fiscal Court
Tony Krampe, Old National Bank
Committee Chairs 2016
Ag Committee:
Stacy Denton, Blue Moon Stables
Government Affairs Committee:
Cyndee Burton, Matthew 25
Education/Workforce Committee:
Julie Wischer, Henderson County Schools
Ambassador Committee:
Janet Hortin, JD Byrider
Taking Care of Business Committtee:
Dave McGan, McGan Business Solutions
Industrial Liaison Committee:
Jim Butkus, Audubon Metals
Kyndle Team
Brad Schneider, CEO
Donna Crooks, V.P. of Economic Development
Margaret Ridley, V.P. of Business Support
John Mathias, Director of Communications
Donna Warren, Administrative Assistant/Event Coordinator
Stephanie Lucas, Assistant Bookkeeper
Shirley Pruitt, Account Manager
Betsy Wells-Jones, Northwest Kentucky Training
Consortium