KHIC Annual Bus Tour Showcases Entrepreneurial Diversity and Local Impact

Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC) was pleased to host more than 60 participants for its annual bus tour, highlighting a cross-section of the remarkable businesses and organizations that have partnered with KHIC through its lending programs.

The day began in McCreary County's Stearns with a visit to KHIC's very first loan recipient-Outdoor Ventures Corporation. Founder J.C. Egnew guided the group through his state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, as well as neighboring Fibrotex, which together now serve as the county's largest employers. Both companies produce advanced fabrics and camouflage technologies for the U.S. military.

During the ride to the next stop, Kelly Upchurch of Horizon Adult Health Care, LLC, shared his company's growth story and long-standing relationship with KHIC. The group then visited Crossroads Railcar Services, where Steven Richards discussed the company's ongoing expansion, followed by a stop in Strunk to celebrate Highland Housing's milestone 200th home construction, led by Executive Director Angela Allen.

Lunch was hosted by Dayspring Health in their new Williamsburg facility in Whitley County. The program featured remarks from Donna Gambrell, President and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital; Paul Dengel of Good Thymes Organic Farm; Dr. Patrick Brock of Corbin Chiropractic; Beula Turnbill of On Point Barbering; Jeremiah Evans of Bathformations; Aaron Radar of Cumberland Steel Co.; and Larry Rector, President and CEO of Dayspring Health.

Rector provided a tour of the expanded Federally Qualified Health Center, which now consolidates all of Dayspring's primary care services under one roof. The final stop of the day took attendees to Renfro Supply, a 103-year-old wholesale distribution company serving convenience stores across Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, where General Manager Burley McFarland showcased the company's newly expanded facilities.

From startups to century-old businesses, this year's tour underscored KHIC's mission to build local ownership, create jobs, and strengthen communities across Southeastern Kentucky.