June
2026 Skybox Partners Luncheon Celebrates Supporters, Lays Out Plans
More than 90 supporters gathered June 25 for GCED's Skybox Partners Luncheon, an annual event that recognizes GCED contributors, celebrates the past year's accomplishments, and shares a vision for the year ahead.
"We are grateful to our investors, partners, elected officials, and community leaders for your continued support and commitment to the future of Graves County," said GCED President Jason Lemle. "Your investment makes it possible for us to support local businesses, pursue new opportunities, and strengthen our community."
Graves County Commissioner Tyler Goodman and Mayfield City Council Member Jodie Hansen welcomed guests and shared their insights on the value of economic development. The luncheon's keynote speaker was Keanu Murphy, a partner in Mayfield-based Trifecta Real Estate and a member of the GCED Board of Directors.
Jason presented the following highlights from the past year and plans for the year ahead:
Highlights:
- Completing a 150,000-square-foot spec building with an $890,670 investment from the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) and a public/private partnership with Waldrop and Waldrop LLC;
- Securing a $2 million grant from KPDI to construct two additional 60,000-square-foot spec buildings on a property off Key Bottom Road in partnership with Youngblood Excavating & Contracting Company;
- Completing a brand new 500,000-square-foot, pre-graded building site;
- Continuing success with GCED's student workforce development programs Power in Partnership and Community Connections that build relationships among students and employers and help students find a path to local career success;
- Hosting the County's first Internship Fair to help high school juniors connect with employment opportunities;
- Releasing three new videos highlighting workforce development programs;
Plans:
- Complete new highway access to the Hickory Industrial Park, work set to begin in July;
- Construct two new spec buildings off Key Bottom Road;
- Develop a 120-home community and related infrastructure project on the Holland Property along U.S. Highway 45, in partnership with the City of Mayfield, Graves County, WK&T, and various private developers;
- Develop an outdoor recreational area adjacent to the Downtown Farmers Market and SkillRise270, in partnership with the Mayfield Kentucky industrial Development Authority;
- Introduce a new, updated GCED website;
- Continue social media marketing with Lamb Film Company;
- Produce five new marketing videos;
"This is an ambitious set of goals for GCED and its supporters," said Lemle. "But we firmly believe this is the time for big steps. Projects underway in McCracken County are expected to drive significant growth and, with these investments, Graves County we will be in a prime position to offer attractive, affordable alternatives for the companies that come to the area to support those projects and to the new families they bring as well."
See the full news release here.
Check Out GCED's New Website
GCED has a new, updated website, the latest tool to help promote economic growth in Graves County.
"We work every day to bring economic growth to the area and make our community a better place to work, live, and raise a family," said GCED President Jason Lemle. "In today's fast-moving digital world, we absolutely must meet prospects with the data, images, and interactive tools they need to quickly and accurately assess the properties, workforce, and community we have to offer. This new website is a big step forward for the organization."
"We invite everyone to visit the site and check out all it has to offer," Lemle added. "We're proud of how well it showcases our community and we think you will be, too."
Gravescountyed.com offers background on GCED and its mission, a list of available properties with key facts about each one, details about the workforce and related development programs, a community overview with demographics and lists of existing business and industry, and links to communication resources such as videos and newsletters. The site also features GCED investors and testimonials from industry leaders.
The website was designed and built by Mayfield-based Kyle Smith Design.
See the full news release here.
GCED Receives $20,000 Grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation
GCED, a nonprofit organization that works to generate economic growth in Mayfield and Graves County, recently announced it has received a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation. The funding will be used to support GCED in its mission to improve the quality of life for area residents by helping retain and expand existing business and industry and attract companies that invest in the community and provide good jobs.
"The generous funding from the U.S. Bank Foundation plays an important role in helping us accomplish our economic growth and development goals. We're grateful for their support as we strive to provide the infrastructure, facilities, and well-trained workforce necessary to meet the needs of business and industry," said GCED President Jason Lemle.
"Business and industry are the economic backbone of successful communities and a skilled and resilient workforce benefits everyone," said Jeff Mills, community affairs manager at U.S. Bank. "We're proud to work with organizations like GCED to help foster an environment where businesses can grow and succeed and provide jobs that help families thrive."
See the full news release here.
Roundtable Features Training Options Through WKCTC Workforce Solutions
GCED's Plant Manager's Roundtable on June 18 featured an overview of the valuable workforce training options available to Graves County employers through West Kentucky Community & Technical College's (WKCTC's) Workforce Solutions program. Ashley Burns, WKCTC's director of Community, Workforce and Economic Development, led the presentation.
Burns explained that Workforce Solutions designs, develops, and delivers training that is employer-informed, meaning it is personalized to fit specific needs. "We build programs around real skill gaps and bring in industry professionals as subject matter experts," she added.
Programs already underway in Graves County include employee training at Premier Candle's facility in Hickory, and a Graves County High School program that prepares students for dual enrollment at WKCTC, helps them earn early credentials, and sets them on direct paths into local employers. They are also partnering with the Graves County Jail to offer welding classes for inmates. "That's an inspiring program," said Burns. "We are really changing people's lives."
For courses built for Graves County companies, the Kentucky Community & Technical College System TRAINS grant provides funding appropriated by the Kentucky General Assembly that covers 75% of the cost to develop and provide in-depth, customized employee training.
GCED President Jason Lemle wants to strengthen the relationships between the college and local employers: "Let's be sure to use all the resources WKCTC has to offer. As the leaders of our local companies, your input will guide the process and ultimately determine the value it has to offer."
See the full news release here.
Power in Partnership
Power in Partnership is a student-focused program fostered by the Mayfield-Graves County Area Technology Center (ATC) and GCED that brings a wide range of professionals to the ATC classrooms to share their expertise and offer career advice.
New Videos Feature Student and Employer Perspectives on Career Programs
GCED recently released two new videos that highlight the real-life benefits the Power in Partnership and Community Connections programs are delivering for students as well as local employers.
GCED and the Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center (ATC) partnered on the student video, which features Graves County High School graduate Luke Grantham who landed an internship with Universal Compressor Solutions (UCS) after participating in a Power in Partnership field trip.
Grantham had taken both welding and machine tool courses at the ATC, but the chance to be on the factory floor and interact with UCS staff was a game-changer.
"The parts they had out for us to look at and seeing how they did everything, it was just amazing to me, I loved it," said Grantham. Just a few weeks later he was working for UCS as an intern and turning his classroom lessons into critical first steps toward a lifelong career.
The second video demonstrates the vital role that local business partners play in the success of both Power in Partnership and the Community Connections student workforce development programs.
It features Gregory Cook, Purchasing and Inside Sales Manager for Dairyman's Supply Co., and Riley Beth Willett, Public Health Director for the Graves County Health Department, two organizations that have been actively involved with both Power in Partnership and Community Connections since they launched in 2024.
"The success of these programs depends on the participation of our local employers," said GCED President Jason Lemle. "Over the course of the school year, we arrange for dozens of professionals to visit ATC classrooms to share their experience and expertise. We also coordinate several tours/visits for students, literally opening the door to new career opportunities."
"With their commitment to this program, our employers are inspiring young people to consider local career options and developing a loyal workforce that will make these organizations successful in the years ahead," Lemle added.
"We need to invest in our youth," said Willett. "If we don't, they are going to leave us. If they don't know what opportunities we have, they will find them elsewhere. We have to make connections and give them something to look forward to."
"For kids to have met us at the Internship Fair or been here on a tour, it can really help with hiring in the future," Cook added. "I think every business can benefit from this, and you're helping the kids out, too," he added.
Josh Heisner, ATC Principal, said linking his students with business and industry partners who convey not just how to prepare for a job, but also how to succeed once you land that job is making a difference. "We're creating opportunities, helping students build a network, and offering a hand-up to a brighter future."
To be part of the effort to build a well-prepared workforce to meet the needs of your business through Power in Partnership contact GCED at 270.247.0626.
