Helping local economies grow
Bringing in jobs and more jobs
HILLVIEW
Salt River Electric Cooperative helped bring Sabert Corporation to Hillview six years ago. Now Sabert—which makes, warehouses, and distributes plastic food containers for restaurants—plans to double the size of its manufacturing plant and add 40 new employees and two new production lines.
“We are always excited to help companies grow,” says Tim Sharp, Salt River Electric president and CEO. “Our board of directors supported economic development efforts by former CEO Larry Hicks and remains committed to helping our communities grow.”
Salt River sold Sabert land for their facility, loaned them $325,000 from a rural development revolving land fund to help with startup, and helped the company get tax incentives on building materials and wages. In addition, Salt River Electric helped the company obtain a community development block grant to put in a railroad spur.
Attracting new businesses
GRAY
“We are trying to give our county governments the ability to utilize the best commercial property Web site ever devised in an effort to market available land in economically depressed areas,” says Ted Hampton, Cumberland president and CEO.
To help communities attract business to their area, property descriptions at the Web site include details such as logistics connections, work force availability, maps, and more, as well as a list of all utilities that serve each property.
“Potential businesses can list their criteria on the site and find locations that meet their needs,” says Hampton. “The people of southeastern Kentucky need jobs, and the way to get them is through economic development. We are doing everything we can to advertise the desirable properties we have here.”
Debra Gibson Isaacs from March 2016 Issue
