July
Engineering Firms Map Careers for Local Students Through Community Connections
Graves County Economic Development (GCED) recently arranged for high school students from Graves County and Mayfield Independent schools who have expressed interest in engineering to visit local firms YEC, Inc. and BFW/Marcum Engineering as part of the Community Connections Program.
At YEC, students used blueprints and plans to find answers to questions in an activity setting. There were six different stations and YEC employees worked with students at each station to answer questions and provide assistance when needed.
“Thanks to all involved for sharing this group of engineering students with us,” said YEC President Brad Youngblood. “It was very encouraging to see such a large group of students invested in their careers and engaged in the manufacturing- and construction-related industries. Thank you for investing in our local youth and allowing our company to partner with GCED on these beneficial programs.”
“This was a great opportunity for kids to interact with employees on a personal level,” said Katie Beth McCord, Executive Director, Mayfield-Graves County Chamber of Commerce, who helped with the visit. “The students seemed to really enjoy the activity and being able to work on a ‘real world’ YEC project.”
At BFW/Marcum, the students heard from a panel of professional engineers who discussed the work they do, their education, previous work background and experience. They also shared insights on their favorite project, current assignments, and reviewed the projects in Mayfield they are currently supporting as part of the rebuild. Finally, the engineers offered advice on internships and networking in their respective fields.
“It's important for these students to realize they have a lot of opportunity right here in their backyard,” said John Stinnett, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement, BFW/Marcum Engineering. “We said, ‘Here's a potential path for you--here's what we do, here's how we got here, and here's how you can do it, too.’”
“This is great for us as a local company,” Stinnett added. “We hired over 50 people last year and we'll continue hiring engineering talent in the future. But it's also a win for these students. This collaboration between schools and industry is going to lead to a more productive community and make our entire community better."
“We are grateful to YEC and BFW/Marcum for being so generous with their time and expertise,” said GCED President Jason Lemle. “This program is driving positive change for our community by inspiring young people to find rewarding careers here in Graves County, but it is only as good as the companies that participate. Our local businesses are exceptional partners for GCED.”
GCED plans to continue the Community Connections and Power in Partnerships programs through the 2025/2026 school year.
Community Connections
Community Connections is coordinated by GCED in partnership with Graves County and Mayfield Independent Schools, the City of Mayfield, Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the West Kentucky Workforce Board. Its goal is to help students learn about local career opportunities and build relationships that could lead to internships, job shadowing, and other opportunities.
Downtown Farmers Market Opens New Pavilion
With shoppers galore, an outstanding selection of vendors, and plenty of VIPs, the Downtown Farmers Market officially cut the ribbon on its new pavilion on July 19th.
The ribbon cutting represented the culmination of a years-long dream shared by a visionary group of leaders, who persisted in spite of many setbacks, including the 2021 tornado. Today the market proudly stands as a testament to their commitment to celebrating the agricultural heritage of Graves County and improving local access to fresh, healthy produce, foods and hand-made crafts.
The ribbon cutting focused on market supporters, including Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the City of Mayfield and the Graves County Extension Office.
Wade Farm Financial Services was the ribbon cutting sponsor. FNB, Mayfield Electric & Water Service, and His House provided giveaways.
The market is open every Saturday through October 25, 2025 from 7 a.m. to noon at the pavilion located at 101 West James Street in Mayfield.
New Video Promotes Expansion of Hickory Industrial Park
Graves County Economic Development (GCED) has an exciting new video to promote the most recent expansion of the Hickory Industrial Park.
Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the video highlights the “Keith Property,” a $3.5 million expansion of the Hickory Industrial Park, funded by state grants and federal dollars. The site features a pre-graded, build-ready site with utilities and direct access to Highway 45 and is located just four miles from Interstate-69.
“TVA is an outstanding partner and we are fortunate to have their support,” said GCED President Jason Lemle. “TVA is helping us tell our story to a worldwide business audience and we are excited about this addition to our growing portfolio of digital marketing tools.”
"Partnering with local communities to foster economic growth is essential to TVA's mission,” said Emily Jones, TVA Regional Economic Development Consultant. “We are proud to support the proactive efforts by Graves County Economic Development to put this site in a more marketable position, and we look forward to future economic growth opportunities in the region."
August
WKRECC Donation Supports Economic Development
West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (WKRECC) recently donated $15,000 to GCED to support its mission to retain, expand and attract quality manufacturing, distribution, and service industries to Graves County. The money is earmarked to support GCED’s recruiting and marketing efforts.
“Graves County Economic Development provides an essential service to Mayfield and Graves County. Solid economic development marketing and recruiting strategies are critical in bringing good employers to our community,” said WKRECC President & CEO David Smart. “West Kentucky RECC is proud to support the GCED staff as they strive to bring a better quality of life to Mayfield and Graves County.”
PRCO America, Inc. First to Benefit from Riverport's Foreign Trade Zone Designation
Graves County’s PRCO America, Inc. is the first local manufacturer to take advantage of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) designation at the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority and the first to import foreign goods through the Riverport, reinforcing the value of Western Kentucky’s excellent transportation network.
“PRCO America, Inc. would like to thank everyone involved for their successful efforts in achieving the “Foreign Trade Zone” designation at the Paducah Riverport,” said Barry Heath, Vice President of Operations and Plant Manager at PRCO-America. “It took a team of dedicated individuals from the Paducah Riverport, the Economic Development Administration and PRCO America, Inc., working with U.S. Customs to achieve this opportunity.”
“The FTZ designation allows deferred duty and tariff payments until we remove the imported raw material from the Paducah Riverport for use at our facility, instead of having to incur the entire expense for shipments at the time of arrival in Paducah,” Heath explained. “This allows PRCO America, Inc. to remain competitive in the United States steel manufacturing market.”
ATC's Electrical Students Learn from Mayfield Electric's Linemen
Linemen Geoffrey Beck and Rex Coleman from Mayfield Electric & Water Systems (MEWS) visited ATC’s upper-level electrical students on August 29 as part of the Power in Partnership program.
Beck and Coleman brought a bucket truck to the school and gave the students a chance to go “hands on” with the specialized equipment. They talked about the kinds of work they do and the vital importance of learning and following safety protocols. They also encouraged students who are interested in electrical careers to get involved in the trade as early as possible.
“MEWS is proud to support ATC’s commitment to preparing the next generation of skilled workers for meaningful, hands-on careers in our community,” said Clint Woodward, MEWS Electrical Operations Manager. “As someone who personally attended ATC, I can confidently say it offers an outstanding path for students interested in trade work. It gave me the foundation I needed to build a rewarding career, and it continues to do the same for countless others in our area.”
“We're lucky to have industry partners like Mayfield Electric and Water that are willing to take time to invest in our students, preach workplace safety, and walk them through paths to get working in their trades as quickly as possible,” said ATC Principal Josh Heisner.
A joint initiative between the Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center and Graves County Economic Development, Power in Partnership brings professionals to the ATC classrooms to share expertise and experience with students and offer career advice. Visits are scheduled to continue through the school year. Watch for more partnership stories in upcoming issues of On Target.
September
GCED Receives TVA Workforce Invest Grant
GCED has been awarded a Workforce Invest Grant by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to support collaborative efforts in training and education.
In response to the increasing demand for a trained workforce by business and industry, TVA, along with third-party consultant VisionFirst Advisors, developed an innovative initiative, known as Workforce Invest, in 2022. The goal of the program is to address critical workforce development needs.
GCED’s Workforce Invest Grant will fund the purchase of new training equipment for the Community Connections Program, which links high school students with local career options through active partnerships with local employers. Students are exposed to a wide range of specialties by interacting with 45 different businesses and industries. Learning is both virtual and through hands-on participation in internships, job shadowing, and mentorship.
New Community Connections Video Highlights Innovative Career Collaboration
GCED and the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the release of a new Community Connections video highlighting the collaboration among local business, industry, and, most importantly, Mayfield Independent Schools and Graves County Schools, that introduces students to local career opportunities and helps them chart a path for success right here at home.
“We are so proud of the Community Connections program,” said GCED President Jason Lemle. “It really represents the best of what local economic development strives to do—building partnerships that deliver long-term benefits, making Graves County a better place to live and work. This video showcases one of the most innovative ways we are investing in our future workforce and the community.”
Progress Rail Employees Share Career Advice with ATC Welding Students
Justin Clapp and Brittany McMinn from Progress Rail spoke to upper-level welding students at the Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center (ATC) on Sept. 1 as part of the Power in Partnership program. They discussed job opportunities available at Progress Rail, explained the application process, and reviewed the related skills testing.
“We make these visits because investing in students at our local ATC isn’t just about building a future workforce, it’s about empowering students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Vicki Morgan, Human Resources Manager, Progress Rail. “As an HR professional, I recognize that these students are the foundation of our community’s growth and innovation.”
“Thanks to Progress Rail for taking time to speak to our students and thanks to Graves County Economic Development for collaborating with us on Power in Partnership,” said ATC Principal Josh Heisner.
