Northern Kentucky Area Development District
Mar 20, 2026
Three ADDs unite to connect communities with funding partners
The Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD), in partnership with FIVCO and Buffalo Trace Area Development District (BTADD), recently hosted a Meet the Funders webinar, bringing together community leaders, local governments, nonprofits and economic development partners from across its regions. The virtual event demonstrated the power of collaboration and strong interest in identifying new funding opportunities to advance local projects.
The webinar featured state and federal partners, including representatives from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Kentucky Emergency Management, USDA Rural Development, Brownfields programs, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Recreational Trails programs and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Their participation provided attendees with direct access to agencies that play a critical role in funding infrastructure, economic development, environmental revitalization, recreation and community resilience initiatives throughout Kentucky.
While the program was intentionally fast-paced to accommodate the number of participating agencies, the format allowed communities to hear directly from funders about current priorities and available opportunities. Strong attendance and engagement underscored the demand for clear, coordinated information about funding sources that can support transformative projects across rural and urban communities alike.
Although time did not allow for a full live Q&A, NKADD is working with participating agencies to gather responses and share follow-up information and resources with all registrants. This ensures communities can continue the conversation and pursue opportunities with clarity and confidence.
The success of the webinar reflects NKADD's ongoing commitment to collaborate, convene and empower the communities it serves. By strengthening relationships between local partners and funding agencies, NKADD is better positioned to leverage resources, support strategic planning efforts and advance projects that improve quality of life across the region. A full recording of the webinar can be found at youtube.com/thenkadd.
NKADD appreciates the partnership of FIVCO and BTADD and thanks all presenters and participants who contributed to making the event a meaningful and impactful regional conversation. By bringing funding partners together in one setting, NKADD, FIVCO and BTADD helped streamline access to information and reinforced the importance of early coordination when preparing competitive applications.