Legislators hear from officials on ADD impact

Seated left to right: Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark, Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton and Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry testify before the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government June 24. 

Local officials from across Kentucky appeared before the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government June 24 to reaffirm the critical role of the Commonwealth’s 15 Area Development Districts (ADDs) in fostering regional collaboration, supporting economic development, and strengthening local government capacity.

“We are focused on regional priorities—that is, for the greater good of all of our cities and counties collectively—and act as one team,” said Daniel London, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District. “We serve as that Swiss Army knife for our cities and counties, being agile and adaptable to whatever regional requirement, need, and priority is set by our board of directors.”

Created by executive order in 1967, Kentucky’s ADDs assist communities with planning, grant writing, aging services, and more. London emphasized the cooperative nature of the districts. “Each ADD doesn’t race to compete with the other,” he said. “We’re able to pull resources together—public, private, or otherwise—to leverage opportunity for our regions.”

Local leaders testified that many major projects would not be possible without ADD support. In Madisonville, a $25 million sewer upgrade, a police academy, and a collegiate aviation training program were all aided by the Pennyrile Area Development District.

“We would not be able to do what we do as local governments without the resources of the ADDs,” said Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton. “This organization brings together all entities and leaders for one common good.”

Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry highlighted the direct community impact, noting that in fiscal year 2024, ADDs helped deliver over 2.2 million home meals and coordinated more than 250,000 transportation trips statewide.

Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark described a $60 million water treatment project, a decade in the making, that now serves eight counties. “Without their assistance, there’s no doubt we would not have a water treatment plant,” he said of the Gateway Area Development District.

Despite their impact, ADDs face challenges—particularly in recruiting and retaining qualified staff. While districts have adopted creative strategies to stay competitive, concerns remain about long-term staffing.

Officials concluded by urging continued support for Joint Funding Administration dollars to maintain the essential services ADDs provide in all 120 Kentucky counties.