Russell County Industrial Development Authority

06/01/2026

The U.S. Small Business Administration is holding a pitch competition with a $1 million prize pool. The competition seeks ideas aimed at strengthening American competitiveness, driving economic impact, and creating quality jobs. There is no fee to enter.
Deadline to enter: June 10.

Learn more: https://preview.sba.gov/freedom-250

05/29/2026

A reminder from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development: Small businesses that have added at least one full-time employee and invested $5,000 or more in qualifying equipment in the last two years may qualify for up to $25,000 in tax credits.

05/18/2026

Congratulations to all the graduates across Russell County and the Lake Cumberland region!

Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this important milestone. We are proud of your accomplishments and excited to see the impact you will make in our communities, in the workforce, and beyond.

The RCIDA extends its best wishes for success in all that lies ahead!

05/15/2026

This statewide survey is open to all Kentucky manufacturers through June 15. Participation is free, and KAM membership is not required. The KAM Wage and Workforce Study is a comprehensive report on the state of manufacturing employment in Kentucky that allows manufacturers to make strategic decisions to better run their businesses and helps educational institutions prepare our future workforce for a career in manufacturing.

Kentucky manufacturers — there’s still time to participate in the 2026 KAM Wage and Workforce Study!

This statewide survey is open to all Kentucky manufacturers through June 15. Participation is free, and KAM membership is not required.

Participants will receive:
✔️ A complimentary executive summary
✔️ A discount on the full statewide report
✔️ Valuable benchmarking insights on wages, benefits, and workforce trends

Help strengthen Kentucky manufacturing by contributing your data and sharing this opportunity with others in the industry.

Learn more and participate here:
https://kam.us.com/wage-and-workforce-study/

05/07/2026

Congratulations to the Lake Cumberland Tourist Commission (Russell County) and Lake Cumberland Tourism (Somerset) on receiving national recognition for their outstanding cooperative tourism efforts! Tourism remains a leading industry in our region, and we appreciate the dedication and innovation these organizations continue to bring in keeping Lake Cumberland on the national map. We’re proud to see regional collaboration earning well-deserved recognition on a national stage.

Read the story here: https://lakecumberlandvacation.com/lake-cumberland-tourism-organizations-win-national-award-at-2026-etourism-summit/

Visit Lake Cumberland - Russell County, KY
Lake Cumberland Tourism-Somerset-Pulaski County CVB

Regional kiosk project recognized for driving significant increases in website traffic and visitor engagement   LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (April 24, 2026) — Two Lake Cumberland tourism organizations were recognized on a national […]

04/28/2026

Kentucky’s strong business climate continues to drive opportunity across our region. New data from Site Selection magazine highlights the trends shaping growth for communities like Russell County.

Explore the numbers: https://siteselection.com/kentucky-by-the-numbers-2020-2025

04/21/2026

The SEED Academy greenhouse construction is complete! We’re very excited to see the entire facility move into the finishing phase, with AgriTech instruction set to begin this fall.

04/06/2026

The Russell County Industrial Development Authority board met in a special called session Monday morning (April 6) to approve the ex*****on of the purchase option for 67.85 acres adjacent to Lake Cumberland Regional Industrial Complex Site 1.

Funding for the purchase came from the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI), which provides resources to local communities to support investment in site and building upgrades that drive future job creation and economic growth across the Commonwealth. Russell County was one of 18 counties to receive KPDI funding in the latest round of awards.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced the awards on April 2, 2026. “Kentucky continues to lead in investing in site and building development initiatives, laying the groundwork for continued economic momentum and future job opportunities,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our speed-to-market efforts are one of many business-friendly advantages that set the Commonwealth apart from its competitors and explain why businesses continue to choose this great state to locate, expand and invest. Congratulations to these 18 communities on their approvals. I am excited to see the future investment, economic growth and jobs they will help secure.”

Russell County previously received KPDI funding for a due diligence study to determine whether the property was suitable for industrial park expansion. Following the successful completion of that study, the board applied for the latest KPDI grant.

Learn more about the Lake Cumberland Regional Industrial Complex site 1: https://rcidaky.com/available-property-site-1

03/27/2026

This looks like an interesting networking opportunity.

Time is running out—secure your spot for KAM Off The Clock in London today!

We’re excited to partner again with the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership for a special networking reception alongside the London Manufacturing Expo.

Join manufacturers and industry leaders on Wednesday, April 1 from 4:30–6:30 PM at the London Community Center to build connections, and kick off the expo the right way.

Lock in your spot before it’s too late:
🔗 Reception only: https://ow.ly/JtAy50Yt2pf
🔗 Reception + Expo: https://ow.ly/Hx6X50Yt2pg

Don’t miss out—this is where great connections happen.

03/23/2026

It’s exciting to see the continued construction progress on The Green at the Russell County Public Library. This 5-acre expansion is thoughtfully designed to “model, inspire, and elevate life in Russell County,” while enhancing the community’s overall quality of life.

Projects like The Green play an important role in strengthening Russell County’s appeal—not only as a great place to live, but also as an attractive location for workforce development and future investment. Access to modern, engaging public spaces is a key component in building vibrant, connected communities.

Russell County is fortunate to have such a forward-thinking public institution leading this effort.

To learn more about The Green, visit the Russell County Public Library website: https://russellcountylibrary.com/thegreen

Photographs by Ramie Hutchison and rendering by Brandstetter Carroll Inc