HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – At the recent board meeting for Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development Council, their budget for the new fiscal year was unanimously approved which includes increased revenue from local governments and private donors.
The EDC works to promote, attract and recruit industry in Christian, Trigg and Todd counties. The proposed budget was presented by Executive Director Carter Hendricks in Hopkinsville on June 29, which reflected a balanced equal revenue and expenses totaling $688,600. Although they are planning to operate at a slight increase from last year, it is a decrease compared to two years ago.
Where the money is going
As far as expenses go, over a dozen line items on their budget are designated to various operational purposes ranging from office supplies to chamber of commerce fees and retirement benefits. Below are a few highlights from their extensive budget as compared to the 2025-26 fiscal year.
| Expense | Last fiscal year | 2026-27 fiscal year |
|---|---|---|
| New industry | $11,413 | $23,000 |
| Existing industry | $13,784 | $15,000 |
| Travel expenses | $9,027 | $16,000 |
| Marketing | $40,336 | $52,000 |
| Salary | $339,092 | $370,000 |
| Auto lease | $8,159 | $9,000 |
| Auto insurance | $0 | $4,000 |
| Industry Appreciation Luncheon | $24,202 | $25,000 |
Nearly $40,000 of the budget is designated to supporting new industries via recruitment and maintaining current industries. Hendricks said investing in both of these is what helps them be successful.
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As far as travel goes, EDC representatives plan to attend trade shows, conventions and site selection events that are scheduled for this year. A potential international trip to Japan is also included in the budget, but if that does not occur the funds will go unused.
Although they have $52,000 in traditional marketing budgeted, Hendricks said that combined with print ads and other marketing outlets, its closer to around $103,000 total. This investment is most often use to advertise available spec buildings and attract industries. He said, “We feel good about it, but again, kind of like travel if we had more, we would use it strategically the best we could.”
Personnel and wages were given a 2% increase to combat inflation. Any additional increase in the sector would have to include additional fundraising.
Where the money is coming from
Incoming revenue that is budgeted for this fiscal year is almost directly split between contributions from local governments and privately donated or raised funds. Hendricks said to the board, “We’ve really worked hard as a team, and with your support, to try and make sure we have really strong support from all of our partners, not just from our local government.”
| Income source | 2025-26 | This fiscal year |
|---|---|---|
| City of Hopkinsville | $152,666 | $153,000 |
| Christian County Fiscal Court | $45,750 | $61,000 |
| Cadiz/Trigg County | $31,500 | $33,000 |
| Todd County | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Board seats | $137,500 | $143,000 |
| Private donors | $102,000 | $130,000 |
A large chunk of revenue comes from the City of Hopkinsville, with the Christian County Fiscal Court set to increase their offering from last year by $15,000. These funding sources were approved in their individual government budgets.
The other half of their income comes from private donors and board seats, along with anticipated $40,000 from their Industry Appreciation Luncheon. Combined, these sources are set to bring in just over $300,000 that is outside of government funding.
The new fiscal year begins on July 1.
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