Address: 362 Old Whitley Rd., London, KY 40744
Phone: (606) 864-5175
Website: khic.org
Counties Served: Bell, Clinton, Cumberland, Laurel, McCreary, Rockcastle, Wayne, Whitley & Pulaski
Services Provided: Homebuyer preparedness education, credit repair services, financial packaging, acquisition financing, new home development, home repair services, tenant-based rental assistance, rental housing development, business lending, equity investments in businesses, management assistance, and entrepreneurial services
About: For nearly 50 years, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC) has led economic development in Southeastern Kentucky by offering small business financing, development and support of entrepreneurs, affordable housing development and finance, and a variety of community-based initiatives. KHIC offers these services in 22 Kentucky counties, which is a geography slightly larger than the state of New Jersey and is home to approximately 550,000 people.
KHIC loans and equity investments help small businesses start, grow and thrive so that the businesses will increase employment and contribute to more sustainable local communities and a vibrant regional economy. To that end, KHIC operates the Kentucky Highlands Innovation Center, which is devoted to incubating small businesses and growing the skills of entrepreneurs through educational programming and skills development training. The Kentucky Highlands Innovation Center is part of the Kentucky Innovation Network.
KHIC’s housing work focuses on providing housing solutions which are energy efficient as well as equitably financed, so that housing is affordable at the point of purchase and throughout the life of the dwelling. KHIC, in collaboration with its partner organization Highlands Housing Corporation (HHC), builds new homes for homebuyers, helps homebuyers access permanent financing that best meets their needs, and provides owner-occupied rehabilitation services, in hopes of meeting a multitude of community needs. KHIC and HHC also develop rental housing in collaboration with other community partners.
KHIC also fosters community-wide strategic planning through initiatives such as the 8-county Kentucky Highlands Promise Zone initiative and the USDA Stronger Economies Together (SET) program.