Russell County Industrial Development Authority

06/16/2026

Members and guests of the Russell County, KY Chamber of Commerce got an early look inside the SEED Academy on Tuesday. The chamber held its monthly meeting at the soon-to-be Lake Cumberland AgriTech Center, a joint partnership between the Russell County Industrial Development Authority and Russell County Schools - KY.

Agriculture staff and student members of the Russell County FFA were on hand to answer questions and show people around the facility. School Superintendent Michael Ford, ag teacher Dustin Gosser, and RCIDA Board Chairman Clint Voils addressed the meeting — all expressing their appreciation for the support given to the SEED Academy.

The event was hosted by DUO Broadband.

To learn more about the SEED Academy, visit theSeedAcademy.org.

06/09/2026

Here's a workforce fact that might not seem relevant, but it is!

Russell County's homeownership rate is 70.8%, compared to the national average of 65.2%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 estimates.

Communities with high homeownership rates consistently show lower workforce turnover, stronger community investment, and greater long-term stability — qualities that matter as much as wage rates when you're evaluating a location for a new facility.

Add in an average commute time of just 19.8 minutes versus 26.4 minutes nationally (U.S. Census Bureau), and you have a workforce that arrives on time, less stressed, and more connected to where they live and work.

Russell County, Kentucky. The numbers add up.

rcidaky.com

06/04/2026

As the SEED Academy moves closer to opening, we're excited to see Russell County High School expand its agriculture faculty with the addition of Sophie Shearer. Read more about this important step in preparing students for future careers in agriculture and AgriTech.

Sophie Shearer, a former student of the school, is joining the staff and will help shape this new era of AgriTech instruction.

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.