More than 400 employees, industry leaders and familial connections were on hand at the Bruce Convention Center Wednesday afternoon — lauding commerce and legacy during the 2025 South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council’s Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon.
Awarded for the third consecutive year, but for the first time to a living honoree, Trigg County’s Donnie Holland earned the John E. Walton Legacy of Leadership Award — one given to those who embody the strength and spirit of industrial vision needed in Trigg, Christian and Todd counties.
An ardent Between-the-Rivers and Golden Pond native, Holland is a 1967 graduate of Trigg County High School and a 1971 graduate of Murray State University — before pivoting to the military and later Johnson Controls, Chelsea Industries, American National Rubber and Benson International, and eventually served as Commissioner of the Department of Parks under former Governor Matt Bevin, while proving to be a critical point man in Wabash’s arrival to Cadiz.
This year’s Partner Impact Award went to the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, whose staff spends countless hours delivering comprehensive support and rapport with local business and employees — usually from a company’s genesis, all the way to what is sometimes an abrupt, tumultuous terminus.
SWK EDC Board Chair Lee Conrad presented the nod to Sheila Clark and Tom Sholar, whose staff actually couldn’t be present — due to widespread obligations across the Commonwealth.
In many ways, it was indicative of their consistent efforts.
Behind a combined 50 years of experience in the region, HWEA’s Derrick Watson and Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet’s Corky Peek were also honored as retirees — both looking toward new adventures at the end of this calendar year.
Del Boyette, president & CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors, delivered a quick snapshot of the last four years of economic and industrial growth in the tri-county area — and specifically honed in on the impacts of 13 new business announcements and expansions over the last four years.
Include investments and promises from companies like Buc-ee’s, Huhtamaki, Ascend Elements, Cinis Fertilizer, Kitchen Foods, Toyota Boshoku and several others, Boyette affirmed this equates to more than $2.7 billion in immediate regional economic impact — and that doesn’t include ongoing promises.
The 13 companies, he added, will bring more than 9,400 jobs, $981 million in regional economy value, $604 million in labor income and more than $70 million in state and local taxes.
He also confirmed that 80% of regional industry comes from existing businesses that choose to deepen their roots, and that it’s infrastructure and amenities that should be the two main foci when considering economic growth and investment.
Hopkinsville Community College’s Carol Kirves also noted that HOPFAME, HCC’s popular industrial education program and job cohort, has now had 18 different companies take on students through the years — and currently Freudenberg, Huhtamaki, JTEKT, Novelis, Metalsa and Krusteaz are on board with 15 total students.
Since 2016, HOPFAME has had 64 graduates with a 72% retention rate. More than 90% of students have been hired upon graduation.
Milestone Awards
E-Tank, 5 Years
Finish Line, 10 Years
Fabrication USA, 20 Years
CWP Industries, 20 Years
Amfine Chemical, 25 Years
Pregis, 25 Years
Grupo Antolin, 30 Years
Siemer Milling, 30 Years
Trace Industries, 40 Years
Agri-chem Hopkinsville Elevator, 50 Years
Freudenberg Filtration Systems, 50 Years
Sunflower & Hopkinsville Milling, 150 Years
FULL PRESENTATION:
