Business Call - March 2024

Chamber Member of the Month: Mountain Music Exchange

Patton Leadership visits Pike Co.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Casey Lequire, Chair*

People's Bank & Insurance

Kansas Justice, Chair Elect*

Pikeville Medical Center

Robin Simpson Smith, Vice Chair*

Robin Simpson Smith, Attorney at Law

Whitney Justice, Secretary*

Childer's Oil/Double Kwik

Lynette Schindler, Treasurer*

Lynette R. Schindler, CPA, PSC

James Ayers

First State Bank

Linda Bevins

Kentucky Power

Jaime Brown

Stockton Mortgage

Laura Damron

University of Pikeville

Kevin Davis*

Earl Justice

Hutch Auto

Rocco Massey

Justin Prater*

Ken's

Karen

Mike

Big

Joyce

John

Jordan

Tiffany

Katie Belt

This

Patton Leadership Visits Pike Co.

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) held its sixth session in Pike County on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The cohort visits a different county each session. PLI will visit Johnson County on April 4, 2024.

The cohort met at the Garfield House in Pikeville to have discussion on the book, “The Power of Positive Leadership” by Jon Gordon, where they discussed the importance of having a positive mindset and combating negativity to be an effective leader.

The group then went to UPIKE’s Elliott School of Nursing where Simulation Director and Associate Professor of Nursing, Ashlie Newsome, MSN, RN, CHSE, led a tour of the simulation labs and demonstrated to the cohort how nursing students are trained in real-world scenarios. After the tour, the group heard from Neil Green of Appalachian Tank, to learn about meeting the staffing challenges of large-scale manufacturing operations. Next, Gov. Paul Patton had a conversation with the cohort about how different positions in various industries require different leadership techniques and how important it is to be adaptive to changing environments. PLI then returned to the Garfield House where they heard an update on several projects in the City of Pikeville from City Manager, Reggie Hickman. Managing member of Jigsaw Enterprises, Rusty Justice, then gave a presentation on Mayor Hambley’s realization of the Cut-Through Project and how idealist thinking should be firmly rooted in pragmatism. The group then traveled to Pikeville Medical Center where they were led on tours of various areas of the hospital and learned about the state-of-the-art ser-

vices and procedures the hospital offers. To end the day, Chief Operating Officer, Kansas Justice, and Chief Information Officer, Tony Damron gave a presentation on the history of Pikeville Medical Center and its growth over the past 100 years.

“It was really interesting to see all that Pike County has to offer,” said Shane Ford, Store Manager of Super Dollar/Food City. “Hearing from all our speakers and getting to meet Gov. Patton, after whom this program is named, was an honor I won’t soon forget.”

Patton Leadership Institute is a leadership development program of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. PLI is made up of leaders from across the Chamber’s eight-county region. Participants attend nine sessions over a nine-month period, and the curriculum weaves together topics crucial to the development of community such as education, economic development, healthcare, energy, tourism, and government. Leadership skills are integrated into each session. For more information about the Chamber or PLI visit them online at www.sekchamber.com or call 606.432.5504.

Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting for Drake’s Pikeville Location

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the successful ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of Drake’s Pikeville location at 175 Lee Avenue.

The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Jordan Gibson, Chamber President & CEO, followed by Pikeville Mayor Jimmy Carter. The COO of Drake’s, Mark Thornburg, also spoke, as well as Managing Partner, Zach Lisle. Co-Founders Bruce Drake and Brian McCarty were in attendance. There was even a sighting of UK Football Coach, Mark Stoops.

Whenever Drake’s opens a new location, they make a charitable donation to a local nonprofit, which for Pikeville’s location was Judi’s Place for Kids. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mark Thornburg and Zach Lisle presented a representative from Judi’s Place with a check for $6,000, which were all the proceeds collected from Drake’s soft opening for family and friends.

Before the official cutting of the ribbon, it is Drake’s tradition to take a “first bite” where everyone taking part in the ceremony each had a mini cheeseburger and on the count of three, took their first bite of the delicious food.

Once the ribbon was cut, Drake’s was officially open for service. It was open only minutes before the expansive dining areas and bars were full of hungry customers waiting to try the incredible menu.

This is Drake’s 25th location, and it brings an economic boost to the region, creating 175 new jobs.

“We’re glad to welcome Drake’s to Pikeville and we look forward to supporting their success,” said Jordan Gibson, President & CEO of the Chamber. “Their presence will undoubtedly enrich our region, contributing to its growth and prosperity.”

For all the latest news about Drake’s Pikeville, follow them on Facebook or visit their website at www.drakescomeplay.com.

Chamber Member of the Month: Mountain Music Exchange

Mountain Music Exchange started in 2012 in a small space off a dirt road where they were only open on Saturdays as a place for people to get together to hang out, trade guitars, and share in their love of music. In 2015, they moved into their current location, an expansive space at 5171 N Mayo Trail in Coal Run Village, where they have a record store with a great selection of vinyl, sell new and used instruments, and even trade instruments. They trade more than other stores—which is what sets them apart in this region.

Mountain Music Exchange is a vibrant hub for music enthusiasts, offering a wide range of instruments, gear, and services that cater to musicians of all levels. It’s s not just a store but a community center for all things music related. They even have music teachers there 4 days a week to give music lessons.

At Mountain Music Exchange, customers can find an impressive selection of guitars, drums, keyboards, amplifiers, and accessories from top brands. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your musical journey, their knowledgeable staff is dedicated to helping you find the perfect instrument to suit your needs and budget.

In addition to their retail offerings, Mountain Music Exchange also provides instrument repairs and setups, ensuring that your gear is always in top condition. Their experienced technicians take pride in their work, delivering high-quality service to musicians who rely on their instruments for performances and recordings. What sets Mountain Music Exchange apart is its commitment to fostering a thriving music community. They regularly host events, workshops, and live performances, creating opportunities for local artists to showcase their talents and for music lovers to connect and share their passion. Their dedication to

supporting musicians and promoting music education makes them a valuable asset to the Pikeville region’s cultural landscape.

There is also a record store that sells all types of vinyl and CDs. They dedicated an entire wall of the store to local music artists, and all the proceeds from these sales go straight to the musician. Whether you’re in need of new gear, professional repairs, or simply want to immerse yourself in the local music scene, Mountain Music Exchange is the go-to destination for all things musical in Pikeville and beyond.

Chamber Holds Lunch & Learn with Kristine McNiel

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hosted its most recent Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 featuring guest speaker, Kristine McNiel, Project Manager for Kentucky Innovation with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

The Cabinet for Economic Development is the state agency responsible for encouraging job creation and retention, and new investment in the state, and the primary point of contact for businesses operating in Kentucky. They are super collaborators working alongside companies, state, regional and local economic development organizations, all levels of government, utility providers, colleges/universities and many other partners. The Cabinet for Economic Development assists businesses with all facets of their organization. Kristine gave a presentation about how local businesses may qualify for small business tax credits that will help develop jobs and economic growth in the region. These small business tax credits are available to all eligible for-profit businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. It is a non-refundable tax credit for businesses creating at least one full-time (W-2)

job and investing $5,000 or more in qualifying equipment or technology. Tax credits can range from $3,500 to $25,000 per calendar year per applicant business. Authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the program will provide $117 million over the next 10 years to expand capital access for Kentucky businesses. Kentucky has allocated funding to both loan and venture capital programs.

“We’re grateful to Kristine for speaking for us,” said Southeast Kentucky Chamber President & CEO, Jordan Gibson. “Building up businesses and incentivizing their growth is paramount to the success of this region, and we’re glad that Kristine shared her knowledge about these programs.”

For more information about how your business can apply for the Small Business Tax Credit, please visit www.ced.ky.gov/Entrepreneurship/KSBTC or www.kytaxcredit.org. You can also request more information by emailing info@kyinnovation.com or by calling 800626-2930.

Chamber Welcomes Frontier Medical Associates

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber is pleased to announce Frontier Medical Associates as new members, joining on February 27, 2024. A membership plaque was presented to the organization on March 6, 2024.

Frontier Medical Associates was formed in 2006 by Dr. Antoin Hana, who saw the need for access to quality healthcare in the region. Starting with just 6 employees, the organization has grown over the past 18 years, with currently 185 full-time employees and 39 providers in their network spanning across behavioral health treatment, psychiatry, dermatology, optometry, pediatrics, and adult medical care. The organization serves over 11,000 patients per year, with plans to keep expanding. “We strive each day to provide cost-effective -quality care to our friends and family within the rural communities in our area,” said Founder Dr. Hana.

“We’re proud to welcome Frontier Medical Associates to our Chamber network,” said Southeast

Kentucky Chamber President & CEO, Jordan Gibson. “Their commitment to serving patients throughout the Southeast Kentucky region is the root of their success, and we’re excited to support their continued growth.”

Frontier Medical Associates has four medical locations spanning Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, and Martin Counties. Their hours of operation are 8am8pm and they are open on Saturdays, to help support working families who may not be able to make daytime appointments. For more information, you may follow them on Facebook or call 606.886.6622.

Frontier Foundation, part of Frontier Medical Associates, is a non-profit organization that serves children with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Frontier Behavioral Health Center also part of Frontier Medical Associates provides patient-center holistic treatment for patients in a safe and caring environment.

Chamber Welcomes Thracian Property Group LLC

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber is excited to welcome Thracian Property Group LLC as a new member. The organization joined the Chamber on March 10, 2024.

Founded in 2014 by Owner Romain Picard, an investor from Versailles, France, Thracian Property Group LLC is a holding company investing in, rehabilitating, and leasing commercial, retail, postal, affordable, and well maintained residential and multifamily properties through 10 subsidiaries in Kentucky, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota.

The organization’s now seeks to diversify its business by offering reasonably priced but safe and comfortable housing accommodation where it is badly needed. Over 20% of office space is vacant while 16-year high mortgage rates have caused a housing shortage of 3.4 million homes. Unfortunately, most of this unutilized space cannot be repurposed to house people for two main reasons: 1. Strict zoning ordinances 2. The cost of repurposing from Office to Residential (in particular, the cost of plumbing). For example, it is estimated that only 1/8th of available office space could be

repurposed at a cost that would make sense for both investors and tenants. Thracian Property Group LLC seeks to find this 1/8th and transform useless office space into much needed affordable housing in prime locations and areas of growth and employment.

Thracian Property Group LLC’s niche markets are primarily low-income areas, where the company seeks to offer reasonably priced, safe, and comfortable housing and commercial space that meets code requirements and still allows them to be profitable. In Floyd County, it purchased and invested substantial amounts of money in repairing a post office building which it currently leases to USPS.

“We are delighted to welcome Thracian Property Group LLC to the Chamber,” said President & CEO, Jordan Gibson. “Their commitment to investing in the region, particularly in affordable housing, is commendable and much needed. We look forward to partnering with them as we strive to build a stronger and more inclusive community together.”

For more information on Thracian Property Group LLC, you can send an email to: contact@ thracianpropertygroup.com.