Barren River Area District Development host 10 Counties for Information Strategy
Edmonson County Judge Executive Scott Lindsey.
Lynn Bledsoe
Edmonson News
Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) held their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) meeting with local officials and stakeholders on May 19, 2025. The purpose of the CEDS meeting is to include all 10 of the BRADD communities and share where they are, what they are doing, and plans for change in the future.
During the day-long event different issues were addressed. Promoting your Community, Mapping for Comprehensive, Workforce Development, Regional Economic Developer Training, Vibrant Senior Centers, Childcare Issues Across BRADD and Housing Overview were just a few of the areas explored.
Each of the 10 counties included in the BRADD Area had representatives at the meeting to speak for and to learn about their county.
Senator Steve Meredith, Representatives Kevin Jackson and Representative Michael Meredith were the keynote speakers. They talked about housing issues and how to address the problems, short and long term.
Rep. Kevin Jackson and Senator Stephen Meredith.
Almost all of the BRADD areas have housing issues. Rep. Kevin Jackson cited natural disasters, COVID shutdowns being a barrier for small businesses to get loans, small homes not being built and the cost of land being issues faced by homebuilders. Senator Steve Meredith cited building codes, interest rates, childcare and health care cost being issues. Representative Michael Meredith cited the good and bad of job growth and population growth.
Barren County Judge Executive Jamie Bewely Byrd said, ” This area has a regional feel to it.” Cave City Mayor expressed what the counties in the BRADD area feel, ” Without BRADD I don’t know where we would be. We lean on them every day.”
