SPEDA President & CEO Chris Girdler to Transition Out of Role

Somerset, Kentucky (SPA)--- After nearly six years at the helm of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA), Chris Girdler is stepping down from his role as President & CEO—a leadership tenure marked by bold initiatives, strategic partnerships, and measurable economic growth for Somerset and Pulaski County.

Appointed in 2019 as SPEDA’s founding president and CEO, Girdler was entrusted with a dual mission: to attract businesses and to create a place where quality of life encourages growth. His approach has redefined economic development in the region, rewarding Somerset with more than $500 million in new business investment, over 1,000 new jobs, and a four-year streak of record tourism spending, culminating in $150.9 million in visitor spending in 2023. 

This leadership has not gone unnoticed. In late 2024, Girdler was honored with the Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s Community Professional of the Year award—recognized for excellence, innovation, and his transformative impact on local and state economic development. 

Building Foundations: Housing, Child Care, and Infrastructure

Girdler’s leadership went beyond business attraction. One of SPEDA’s signature strategies was addressing essential workforce needs. In Somerset’s Valley Oak Commerce Complex—home to major employers like Toyotetsu America, Hendrickson International, Bosch, and Gatormade—Girdler facilitated the development of Valley Oak Apartments, a multi-phase affordable housing project conceived via a nationwide Request for Proposals (RFP). Phase 1, completed in early 2024, delivered 40 energy-efficient units, with Phase 2 aiming to add single-family homes and additional apartments, potentially representing $20 million in construction investment. 

Recognizing the scarcity of childcare as a barrier for workers, SPEDA also issued an RFP to develop a childcare center in Valley Oak. The selected provider—PJ’s Primary Care Center—will build a 7,500 sq ft facility to accommodate at least 150 children and create 20–25 jobs. 

Additionally, practical infrastructure projects under Girdler’s leadership included the sale of 11 acres of prime real estate in SPEDA Commerce Park to pave the way for a large-scale commercial and retail complex, made possible by imminent improvements to KY-80 and KY-461 roadways totaling $70 million in construction.  Main road improvements also expanded the road up to Buck Creek Bridge and completed a crucial interchange—catalyzing additional industrial and commercial growth in eastern Pulaski County. 

Workforce & Education: Building Skills for Tomorrow

Understanding that economic growth requires skilled labor, Girdler strengthened ties with educational institutions. SPEDA donated property to Somerset Community College for its Lineman Training Center—a national-leading workforce training facility. This center, supported by grants and industry collaboration, equips trainees with some 240 hours of field training, preparing them for well-paying utility jobs. 

The organization also partnered to launch the “Bus to Biz” program, connecting local high-school students, educators, and guidance counselors with in-demand, non-college-degree careers—bridging education and opportunity in a way some educators called “unique.” 

Tourism & Community Enrichment

Tourism under Girdler’s watch soared. Spending peaked at $150.9 million in 2023, creating 1,158 jobs and helping local residents save an average of $564 in taxes per household.  SPEDA fostered this success through collaborative campaigns—digital kiosks, influencer marketing, travel guides, and billboards—by leveraging ARPA funds and tourism grants. Downtown revitalization, arts, festivals, nightlife, and cultural programming all helped Somerset become more than just a gateway to Lake Cumberland—it became a destination. 

Beyond commerce and tourism, Girdler helped facilitate the travel of the Smithsonian’s “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibit to Somerset’s Center for Rural Development—underscoring SPEDA’s role in enriching civic and cultural life.  SPEDA’s wide-ranging community initiatives also included fundraising for Veterans Memorial Park, complete with a tank memorial, reflection spaces, and tributes to local veterans—merging civic pride with downtown beautification. 

What Girdler’s Transition Means for Somerset

Chris Girdler’s departure marks the end of a pivotal chapter for SPEDA and Somerset—a chapter defined by integrated economic development, collaborative innovation, and unmistakable momentum. The challenge ahead lies in maintaining this trajectory: continuing investment, housing initiatives, workforce training, and tourism that feel holistic and place-based.

As the SPEDA board prepares for leadership succession, the organization’s foundation—laid under Girdler’s vision—offers a blueprint: growth anchored in quality of life, partnerships, and community-building.

Chris Girdler’s tenure as SPEDA President & CEO transformed Somerset—from infrastructure to tourism, from skill development to cultural enrichment. His legacy is visible in new homes, new jobs, robust tourism, smarter infrastructure, and a community more vibrant and future-ready than ever.

More To Follow...

An in-depth analysis of SPEDA is planned in the coming days. In the meantime, we wish Mr. Girdler well in his pursuits beyond SPEDA.

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