Our Mission
To serve as the leading 501c3 economic development organization that impacts communities and economies for improvement through education, entrepreneurship, small, minority, and women owned business development in Western Kentucky.
Our Vision
MEDI is a national model agency for growing and improving economies through minority economic development.
History
MEDI was founded in 1989 to help ensure the vitality and growth of Hopkinsville-Christian County’s small and minority-owned businesses. Through strong leadership and progressive partnerships, MEDI was created to address the need for minority-owned business startup, development, and employment.
MEDI was formed by local leaders committed to minority economic development: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Christian County Economic Development Council, NAACP, Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce, City of Hopkinsville, Human Relations Commission (of Hopkinsville), Christian County Government and the Movers & Shakers.
Since 1989, MEDI has helped to start several small and minority-owned businesses that created jobs and invested in capital; provided countless hours of business training and technical assistance, increased businesses’ access to capital, improved public policy, and enhanced the local business climate. In January 2009, MEDI’s Board of Directors elected to expand its scope and market area to provided services throughout Western Kentucky.
Executive Director
Board Of Directors
Kate Russell, Hopkinsville Brewing Company
Walter Cummings, Christian County Government
Colonel Reginald Davis (R), Retired Colonel, US Army
Chris Jung, JSMC
Tishauna Douglas, First Steps
Zirconia Vansauwa, Vansauwa’s Taco’s & Vegan Eats
Jeff Taylor, Retired Commissioner, Business Development, Commonwealth of Kentucky
Derek Poor, WKWIB
Reginald Calloway, Small Steps of Faith
Vulenzo Blount, Bolinger Real Estate & Auction