Page 55 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

can get behind. Wilkerson and Mueller are
utilizing different tactics with the ultimate goal
of increasing population and creating an influx
of dollars and opportunities that they hope will
transform their community.

Wilkerson puts it this way, “Foremost, Frankfort
needs to change its mindset as to what is possible.
We also need to do a better job of telling our
city’s story to a larger, more targeted audience.
We need to be proud when we speak of our town
and welcome progress. We need to recognize,
enhance, and celebrate our strengths as well as
what differentiates our community from others.”
Mueller sums up his thoughts as, “We as leaders
need to do a better job of communicating our
vision for the community. We need to take the
time to have honest conversations about where
we are currently and where we are headed in the
very near future. We also need better leadership
• MAYOR LAYNE WILKERSON • MAGISTRATE MICHAEL MUELLER
that can define a clear vision and will work hard
to get us to our goal. Additionally, we need all
citizens, existing industries and businesses to
Strategic Initiatives, a position focused on Mueller has been one of the primary champions believe in this vision and be cheerleaders for it.
growing their economy, tourism, and population. promoting the need to update the Capital City’s Everyone should be talking up our community to
Additionally, they are partnering with a company quality of life story through the development of a anyone that will listen. It’s a team effort; not one
to begin training residents in cybersecurity and large-scale initiative. person can do this alone.”
software development to give under-skilled workers
an opportunity for higher-paying jobs. Mueller states, “The world pandemic has put a
pause on many things, but it has showed us that our With bold, new leadership on full display from
When asked what has brought about his vision, community thirsts for more outdoor activities. Not both the city and county, Frankfort/Franklin County
looks like a community ready for change and
Mayor Wilkerson says, “The pandemic has forced
only do people want to play sports outside, they
CAPITAL GAINS our hand. That is the silver lining in all of this. Society want to eat and be active outside too. Our parks recruitment strategies will change the economic
renewed opportunities. A change in mindsets and
has shifted its focus inward and we need to refocus
have seen a record number of people throughout
trajectory of the community. Ultimately, the
our efforts on the important things. As a city,
the pandemic. I believe this is a trend from this
changes implemented by these leaders will define
Frankfort must now address any of our quality-
day forward. We need to create a higher level
of-life shortcomings and begin attracting individuals
success, both personally and politically.
small-town feel and provide an abundance of
and families that seek a more meaningful life and of amenities in Franklin County and leverage our their community’s future, while also defining their
hometown experience.” things to do.”
Frankfort has always had a one-of-a-kind history Mueller and several of the members of the Franklin
Small rural communities over the last few decades advances in telecommuting and the availability of through the eyes of two newly elected leaders who that only a capital city can achieve. A historic County Fiscal Court have begun asking about
have watched numerous opportunities and broadband. are providing a vision and a map to a brighter future. town that is the birthplace of Bibb lettuce, opportunities to redefine their community and its
populations drift to the nearby urban centers. Frankfort has witnessed an assassination of quality of life through development of a new park
The exodus is taking with it dollars that drove Frankfort, Kentucky, like a lot of America, is at Layne Wilkerson was elected Mayor of the City of a sitting state governor, as well as a Presidential focused on hosting youth sporting events. In the
local economies and the future of many small a crossroads. The capital city of the state of Kentucky, Frankfort and took office on January 1st, 2021. visit from Abraham Lincoln, who rode a train on United States, youth sports are a $19.2 billion
local retail establishments. This flow from rural Frankfort located within Franklin County is one of Wilkerson is a financial planner by trade, who tracks that still run through the center of town. marketplace with participation rates skyrocketing in
communities to the bright lights of the big city the smallest capital cities in the country. Frankfort is returned to his hometown in 2004 after working But what has plagued Frankfort through the last recent years, as well as the dollars they generate in
has created numerous issues, from brain drain blessed with two Interstate highway access points; for Fortune 500 companies in the urban meccas several decades is the feeling that the community communities that host tournaments and sports teams.
to reduced property demand and tax bases as a navigable river that runs through the center of of Chicago and Louisville. is stuck in time. Sports facilities, especially for youth, are becoming an BRAD THOMAS
families leave their hometowns for the promises town; and it is home to Kentucky State University, integral part of community development programs ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
of the urban meccas. a publicly supported, historically black college. The newly-elected Mayor Wilkerson stated, “My Failure to keep up with trends that not only lure and are becoming showpieces to display what Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
goal is for Frankfort to come out of the Covid-19 visitors to a community but encourage residents happens when a community works together.
But something strange has been happening over The community has some industry, but Frankfort lockdown a stronger city than before the pandemic. to pursue healthy lifestyles has pushed many
the last few months as the world begins recovering historically has relied on state government as the Our city needs to seize the opportunity to attract families over the last few decades to leave Mueller further shares, “People move to a community 4775 Lexington Road 40391

from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some small rural driving force for jobs and the local economy. remote workers and new businesses that are not Frankfort for urban centers with more amenities because of the way of life and the amenities a P.O. Box 707
communities are beginning to see a reversal of this This over-reliance on government jobs has left the dependent on a geographic location. The time is and opportunities. As the families left, the community provides. People want things to do Winchester, KY 40392-0707
trend. The small communities that are positioning community in a holding pattern for the last several right to attract residents who seek an exceptional demand for housing remained stagnant along year round, inside and out. If we build a community
themselves properly are now seeing a bright decades, leading to stagnant population and quality of life with less congestion, lower cost of living, with student enrollment; meanwhile, the overall where people want to live, then we will attract
future. The recruitment strategy that is leading this wage growth when compared to neighboring plenty of outdoor activities, and easy access to the population median age has increased. businesses that want to move here. It’s the full circle Tel. 859 595 6251
renaissance is an understanding of the change that communities, as well as an aging population. As rest of the United States.” theory. It’s economic development through using
has happened in the "future of work". Communities state government employment has become leaner Michael Mueller owns a local landscaping and our amenities.” Brad.Thomas@EKPC.coop
are changing gears from recruiting industries to through attrition, the strain on the local economy is The city plans to create a “Remote Frankfort” initiative, design firm with his wife in Franklin County. He
recruiting residents. They are encouraging families to pronounced, with empty storefronts and fewer an incentive package designed to encourage began representing the community’s citizens on the The push to bring a brighter future for communities
escape the grind of urban living to come live in the options for disposable income. But the future workers in high-value industries to move to the city. Franklin County Fiscal Court, which is the elected of rural America starts with real leadership and www.DataIsPower.org
less-stressed hometowns of rural America, utilizing of Frankfort is looking very different when examined Frankfort has also hired its first ever Director of administrative board of the county in 2018. the implementation of a vision their citizens

55. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL