How We Work

The EDC is built around a simple belief: economic development in Kentucky is more effective when the right people are connected, informed and working in the same direction. Our structure is designed to make that happen — clearly, efficiently and without duplicating work that others are already doing well.

The EDC exists to accomplish two things:

First, to serve as a strategic convener, connector, and resource hub. We don't aim to lead every initiative, we aim to make every initiative stronger by ensuring alignment, surfacing opportunities, and bridging gaps across UK's economic development ecosystem.

Second, to exercise intentional project leadership in select areas. Where a clear need exists and no one else is positioned to fill it, the EDC takes a direct leadership role, primarily in data initiatives and broad economic impact studies that support our convening function.

The structure below is designed to accomplish both. Each layer of engagement serves a distinct purpose, and together they create a clear path from strategic direction to meaningful impact.

Our Structure

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is the EDC's strategic core. A focused group of key stakeholders, the Steering Committee sets the EDC's agenda, makes decisions about organizational direction, and ensures that EDC activity remains in step with the goals of the Affordable Kentucky Tomorrow (AKT) initiative.

Steering Committee membership is intentionally limited to ensure focused, productive dialogue and clear accountability.

Meet the EDC Steering Committee

EDC Membership

EDC membership is open to all. Our quarterly meetings bring together faculty, staff and community partners to elevate what's happening in economic development.

Each meeting covers a focused mix of content: external and internal economic development practices, timely topics relevant to the Commonwealth, UK economic development updates and progress reports from active EDC projects. Meeting topics are set by the Steering Committee and published in the EDC Monthly Newsletter well in advance.

Sign up for the EDC Newsletter.

Deep Dives

Following each quarterly EDC meeting, members who want to go further on the day's topic have the opportunity to follow up with a Deep Dive: a focused, informal conversation with others who share that interest.

Deep Dives are not a standing commitment. They happen when a topic resonates and a group of people wants to think through it more carefully together.

The conversation can go wherever it's most useful. Sometimes it's simply a richer exchange of ideas. Other times, it surfaces a potential project to propose to the Steering Committee.

Project Implementation

When the EDC takes a leadership role in a specific initiative, working groups form around that project. These groups are practical and focused, existing to make meaningful progress on initiatives.

Working groups are project-driven, meaning they have a clear scope, timeline and outcome. Membership is based on relevance and capacity.

Projects are decided upon by the Steering Committee. Current EDC-led projects include OneUK and Growing Our Own.

Get Involved

Whether you're interested in joining Core EDC membership, attending a Deep Dive, or exploring a potential collaboration, we'd love to connect.

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