Sept. 12, 2011
For Immediate Release
By Linda Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Larry Hayes, secretary for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, spoke at the Campbellsville/Taylor County Chamber of Commerce luncheon and participated in the ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the new Chick-fil-A Express, both at Campbellsville University, Sept. 8.
Hayes, who is responsible for management of the state's agency for business and industry development, was introduced by John Chowning, CU vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, as a graduate of nearby St. Catharine College who has deep roots of service in business and in support of education in Kentucky.
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| Larry Hayes, secretary for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, speaks at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon held in CU's Banquet Hall. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener) |
Hayes said, “I can only imagine what you as a community felt the day you woke up and read the news that the one main employer was leaving. You have survived and turned things around because the community and the college came together offering training and childcare to support those who were suddenly jobless and in dire need.”
The reference was to the quick formation of and development of Team Taylor County, described by Chowning as a time of self-assessment and goal-setting with all citizens and agencies working together.
Team Taylor County was formed after Fruit of the Loom announced it would close in 1998.
Hayes commended Team Taylor County director Ron McMahan, calling him “one of the best in Frankfort before he was recruited to Campbellsville,” and said it was rare to have all the key leaders in an area in agreement on support.
He acknowledged the presence of Mayor Tony Young, Taylor County Judge/Executive Eddie Rogers, State Rep. “Bam” Carney and Campbellsville University President Michael V. Carter, for being present and working together for the good of the whole community.
He said the state wants a single point of contact in each community and one that is a partnership between city, county, education, business and industry as this one already is.
He challenged Campbellsville and Taylor County to invest in the small businesses that are here now. “Those businesses who are already located here,” Hayes said, “will become bigger and better given the support and help of your economic development staff. Try to create opportunities in your community.”
Hayes pledged his office to that effort. “People on government payrolls don't realize what people in small businesses know — time is money. I stress listening and quick responses. Many times businesses just need to be heard, allowing them to share what is challenging their success and growth, and then get all the help available to figure a way forward. I tell my office to put all our resources to work for them.”
He said, “The way all of us approach helping businesses will result in not only recruiting new jobs to this area, but it will maintain the jobs we have now.”
Immediately following the chamber luncheon, he and others present went across Hoskins Street to the ribbon cutting ceremony at Chick-fil-A Express located in the Davenport Student Commons of the E. Bruce Heilman Student Complex.
Chris Flanagan, operator of Chick-fil-A in Elizabethtown, Ky., who is serving as a consultant for CU's Chick-fil-A Express, said the relationship between CU and Chick-fil-A was a great one, and he discussed the idea of the two working together because of their belief in and service to God.
The chamber luncheon was in the Banquet Hall of the Badgett Academic Support Center.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.