Matthew R. Adkins

Experience

• 

  Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet

  Jun 2015 - Nov 2017

  Park Interpretive Specialist
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  Moab Gear Trader

  Feb 2018 - May 2018

  Sales Specialist
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  CANYONLANDS NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

  Feb 2018 - May 2018

  Information Specialist
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  Rowan County Board of Education

  Aug 2018 - Dec 2019

  Teaching Assistant
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  Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department of New Mexico

  Dec 2019 - Sept 2020

  Park Ranger
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  FIVCO AREA DEVELOPMENT DST

  Oct 2020 - Mar 2022

  Economic Development Specialist

  Assisted the five counties of Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence, including their cities and elected officials, in economic development through grant writing and working with public and private stakeholders to build businesses.● Drafted and administered over $11 million in grant funds to improve quality-of-life objectives. Grant funding sources included AML, CDBG, EDA, FEMA, and more, generating more than $500,000 in administrative fees for the organization.● Organized, trained, and led a department of five economic development planners. Managed a pipeline of projects that exceeded $112 million throughout the five-county region. Show less

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  Carroll County Community Development Corporation

  Mar 2022 - Mar 2023

  Executive Director

  Led community and economic development efforts for the City of Carrollton and Carroll County. Advised an 11-person board of directors consisting of elected officials and industry partners.● Designed and hosted small business workshops for local and regional businesses. Topics included marketing, how to write a business and marketing plan, how to register your business, and how to make your business more resilient.● Drafted and administered over $500,000 of grant funds to aid county improvements. Grants included FEMA, RTP, LWCF, and more. Show less

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  Kentucky I-71 Economic Development Alliance

  Mar 2022 - Dec 2024

  Executive Director

  Led and advise a six-county regional economic development organization comprising Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, Oldham, Owen, and Trimble Counties. Received the Kentucky Association for Economic Developments (KAED) Young Professional of the Year Award for leading the Alliance to secure more than $300 million in capital investment along the I-71 Corridor, creating more than 400 well-paying jobs in 2023.● Lead collaboration efforts with local, state, and federal partners that benefit the programs and policies of the six-county region.● Responsible for developing public policies and programs to help the region generate objectives, drive economic growth through business recruitment and retention, and strategize ways to positively impact areas of quality of life that most affect the region's operations and interests.● Serves as the primary point of contact for site-selection initiatives along the I-71 Corridor.● Drafted and submitted over $10 million of grant funds to aid site development.● Organized and drafted a comprehensive regional economic development strategy to meet regional goals and objectives.● Collaborates with local and regional public schools, colleges, and universities to improve workforce development within the six-county region. Advocates and assists with creating three new programs at the local community college.● Analyze economic and socio-economic data, identify trends, and develop relationships with stakeholders to improve the region's short and long-term goals.● Conducts research and identifies improvement areas of housing needs within the six-county region. Works with state and federal housing partners to develop a strategy to increase quality, attainable housing.●50 Under 50 To Watch in Economic Development Show less

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  Carroll County Fiscal Court

  Mar 2023 - Dec 2024

  Director of Government Services

  Mr. Adkins managed local, state, and federal relationships that benefit the programs and policies of the county. He is responsible for developing public policies and programs to help the county generate goals, manage public relations for the county, and strategize ways to achieve impact in areas of public policy which most affect the county's operations and interests.Created a pay classification system to promote competitive, equitable pay and benefits for current and future county employees.● Drafted employee job descriptions to promote accountability and responsibility throughout eight departments.● Organize and lead county executive team meetings with elected officials and department heads to promote collaboration and communication efforts.● Drafted and administered over $1.5 million of grant funds to aid county improvements. Grants included FEMA, USDA, EDA, EPA, and more.● Drafted the county's first comprehensive economic development strategy to drive county-wide efforts to become more equitable, sustainable, and resilient.● Worked closely with state and industry partners to secure and sponsor over $80 million in industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) to promote job growth and business expansion in Carroll County.● Identified steps to locate and reduce unnecessary budget spending by 2.5%, saving over $200,000 in year one. Show less

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  Taney County Partnership

  Jan 2025 - now

  Executive Director
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  Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

  Jan 2025 - now

  Vice President/Chief Economic Development Officer