Harlan County, Kentucky is nestled in the heart of the
Cumberland Mountains and is home to roughly 27,000 residents. Located in the
southeastern corner of the state, Harlan County is accessible via US-119 and
US-421 and is a two-hours drive from both the Knoxville, TN metro area and the
Lexington, KY metro area.
Historically a coal-dependent community, efforts have been
made to diversify the economy over the last decade with strategic investments
in infrastructure and land to prepare for new industry. Tourism is rapidly
growing in the community, which boasts the more than 7,000 acre Harlan County
Off-Road Adventure Area, the Portal 31 Exhibition Coal Mine, Kingdom Come State
Park, and the Kentucky Coal Museum. With rich history and unmatched natural
beauty, Harlan County offers a high quality of life environment to all.
The Position:
Under the direction of the One Harlan County Board of
Directors, the Executive Director is responsible to develop, plan, coordinate,
and execute a comprehensive plan for the economic development of Harlan County
by performing and/or coordinating the following duties.
Assist the One Harlan County and the Harlan
County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) in the development of a
comprehensive economic development plan designed to achieve the goals and
objectives of One Harlan County and the HCEDA to promote economic growth and
stability of Harlan County.
Direct the execution of the economic development
plan and provide monthly progress reports to the One Harlan County board and
the HCEDA.
Coordinate economic development programs and
services with other public or private agencies or groups which aid in expansion
and/or retention of the current business community.
Respond to “Requests for Proposals” and “Requests for Information” in a timely and effective manner.
Manage primary employer projects and pipeline
activity.
Communicate appropriate information concerning
economic development progress to community organizations, business
organizations, and governmental organizations to create better understanding of
the economic growth of Harlan County.
Develop, prepare, and submit an annual budget to
the One Harlan county board for approval and provide a monthly financial
statement and review to the board.
Attend all meetings of One Harlan County and the
HCEDA and other functions, conferences, and/or trade shows as authorized and
directed by the One Harlan County board.
Represent One Harlan County at meetings of
organizations like the Harlan County Chamber of Commerce, Shaping Our
Appalachian Region (SOAR), the Cumberland Valley Area Development District
(CVADD), etc. by attending and participating in the regular meetings of such
organizations, and report on their progress to the One Harlan County board and
the HCEDA.
Research, analyze, and monitor various factors
(demographic, financial, technological, etc.) to identify and exploit potential
economic development opportunities to further the economic development of
Harlan County.
Draft and submit appropriate grant applications
to public and/or private agencies.
Direct and coordinate implementation,
evaluation, and monitoring of grant funded programs to comply with all grant
requirements.
Other duties may be assigned at the discretion
of the One Harlan County board.
Ideal Candidate:
Our ideal candidate will be a
collaborative, friendly person who enjoys working on a strategic approach to
economic development and who understands the challenges and obstacles that must
be overcome in rural Appalachia. Their strategy must lead to the
diversification of the Harlan County economy over the long term.
Our ideal candidate will be
innovative. Someone who is not afraid to bring new ideas to the table and who
is well organized in managing a variety of projects simultaneously.
Our ideal candidate will be a
relationship builder who provides leadership within our community. They will be
seen as someone who is energetic, trustworthy, and has a steady personality.
Our ideal candidate will be the face of economic development for Harlan County and will build a brand within the community via proactive communication among multiple means. They will be a great communicator who can quickly give an “elevator speech” to anyone from a random citizen on the street, to a company CEO, to an elected official of the value our organization and what our community provides to them.
Our ideal candidate will possess a
highly professional demeanor and work ethic with a respectful competitive
drive. They will be a purpose-driven, self-starter who prefers to win.
Our ideal candidate will have good
people skills and be sound in the art of reading a room.
Education Requirements:
Required Education and/or Experience includes a Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university; and at least two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations preferred include the completion of the Kentucky Institute for Economic Development, the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute, and maintenance of a valid Kentucky driver’s license.
Additional Requirements:
Common out of state travel by vehicle and/or air and “after hours” are required as well as extended overnight stays for out-of-town events and meetings.
Work includes the ability to sit
and/or stand for periods in an office as well as work at a computer for
extended periods of time as well as adapt to various work environments.
Harlan County Business Park:
Harlan County Business Park provides tremendous opportunity for development. Located directly off of US-119 in Cumberland, KY, this one hundred forty acre site is available for development. This site features Kentucky’s only state certified Build Ready site south of Interstate 64 and east of Interstate 75. Water and sewer services are provided by the City of Cumberland, electricity from Kentucky Utilities, and natural gas infrastructure is in development as the result of a $1.5 million grant award from the Kentucky Abandoned Mine Lands Pilot Program.
Industry:
Energy
Harlan County has historically
been a coal producing community with several large scale mining employers
remaining active in the area. Natural gas is also plentiful providing
opportunities for future development.
Manufacturing
Harlan County has an available and
technically skilled workforce, committed to delivering a high-quality product
in safe, efficient means. With small manufacturers like SEKRI Inc and several
small welding/fabrication shops, there is opportunity to increase manufacturing
in the community via available industrial property at Harlan County Business
Park.
Healthcare
Harlan County is home to Appalachian Regional Healthcare in Harlan, one the county’s largest employers with more than 600 staff working at the 150 bed, acute-care facility. Opportunity abounds to grow healthcare related industry around this vitally important asset.
Timber
Harlan County offers an abundance
of timber and other natural resources that are used as source material in many
manufacturing processes.
Key Employers:
Appalachian Regional Healthcare
JRL Energy
Nally & Hamilton
SEKRI Inc.
Kitts Creek Forest Products
Education:
Southeast Kentucky Community and
Technical College (SKCTC) holds two campuses in Harlan County. The main campus
in Cumberland, KY and the technical campus in Harlan, KY. SKCTC has more than
3,000 students and offers a variety of associate degrees and trade
certifications. Customized educational programs can be created to meet employer
needs.
Compensation:
Salary – Commensurate with experience and education with performance incentives to be included.
Residency:
Residency within Harlan County, KY
during the position is required.
References & Background
Checks:
The finalists for the position
will undergo background checks that may include
How to Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to apply@oneharlan.com
Applications will be reviewed on a
rolling basis starting on September 29th, 2024.
