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Economic Development Expert Shares Insights on Strengthening Regional Infrastructure at CAPE Day

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At LTADD, empowering our eight-county region requires strong strategic partnerships, shared vision, and direct access to transformative funding opportunities. We want to extend a sincere thank you to Emily Hathcock, Kentucky Economic Development Representative with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), for joining us at our recent CAPE Day and walking our members through the “EDA 101” framework.

Emily’s presentation as part of the Water Management Planning Council provided our municipal leaders, regional partners, and local officials with a clear roadmap for leveraging federal investment to drive long-term economic growth.

Key Takeaways from the EDA 101 Session:

  • Targeted Investment Priorities: Emily highlighted how EDA funds align with critical regional needs, including critical infrastructure (water, sewer, and access roads), workforce development, innovation, and economic resilience.
  • Core Grant Programs: Attendees gained valuable insight into key funding streams like Public Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA), Technical Assistance, and Disaster Supplemental grants designed to build local capacity.
  • Building Competitive Applications: The session broke down what makes a project stand out—focusing on economic impact, regional asset alignment, job creation, and adhering to federal match requirements.

Navigating federal grant programs can often feel complex, but having leaders like Emily work directly alongside us here at LTADD ensures our local governments are equipped to turn regional priorities into shovel-ready projects.

As LTADD continues working to secure grants and support infrastructure, workforce, and community development across Central Kentucky, we are deeply grateful for Emily’s time, expertise, and continued partnership.

Have a project idea that aligns with EDA investment priorities? Reach out to Izzy Miller of our LTADD CAPE team today to discuss how we can help coordinate water and wastewater funding strategies for your community.

Posted inCAPE News