SOMERSET, KY – More small and medium-sized Eastern Kentucky manufacturers are getting work from the federal government, thanks to the Supplier Education & Economic Development (SEED) program and its annual contracting symposium.
The Eastern Kentucky SEED Contracting Symposium was held Thursday, Oct. 2, at The Corbin Center in Corbin, Ky.
The annual event is a collaborative effort between the office of Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers and Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corp. (SKED).
Since its inception, companies participating in the SEED program have invested over $75 million in the region, creating approximately 650 jobs. SKED’s partners have trained nearly 800 workers.
Congressman Rogers spoke at the event, encouraging the connection of small business owners and federal contracting representatives from major corporations, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and GE Aerospace. The goal of the SEED program and its annual event is to create impactful economic development in Eastern Kentucky, he said.
“If we could pair up more federal contractors with the best workforce in the country right here in southern and eastern Kentucky, the possibilities would be endless. This event gives our businesses in the region the opportunity to meet with federal contractors face-to-face and learn how they can earn competitive contract opportunities,” said Congressman Rogers. “SKED is a great resource for our businesses in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District. They can take companies from concept to concrete, supplying competitive loans, employee training, and networking opportunities to expand job creation here at home.”
More than 115 business representatives and economic development officials gathered for the annual event.
During the full day of events, local representatives met with some of the world’s most prominent prime defense contracting officials to build connections that lead to growth and new work for their businesses.
This year’s event also included panelists from regional manufacturers who have been working with the federal government. Each gave details of their experiences in achieving federal contracting work and meeting the workforce needs to make that happen.
Bob Schena is one of the panelists who spoke. He expanded his business, moving some of Rajant Corporation’s work to Morehead, Kentucky, nine years ago. Rajant’s workforce in Eastern Kentucky continues to grow and will reach 50 by the end of the year.
“For over two decades, Rajant has been honored to support the U.S. Military with proven, reliable solutions. This long-standing success is rooted in the collaborative partnerships we share with prime contractors, whose commitment and innovation have been instrumental to both mission outcomes and Rajant’s continued growth.”
Small businesses have benefited from networking and contractor interaction since 2017.
Jordan Dick, owner of Lincoln Manufacturing USA in Stanford, Kentucky, is one of 21 advanced manufacturers from Eastern Kentucky who participated in SKED’s Eastern Kentucky SEED Symposium. His company has been a part of the SEED program since 2019.
“I was thrilled to attend SKED’s 2025 Eastern Kentucky SEED Contracting Symposium,” Dick said. “The event was incredibly informative, offering valuable insights and networking opportunities to benefit my business greatly. Thank you to SKED for hosting such an impactful and well-organized event.”
The event is the culmination of months of preparation and certifications, bringing together robotics and automated machinery developers, metal stamping designers, 3D printing designers, and others to meet and present themselves as potential suppliers to the defense industry.
Representatives from eight aerospace, defense, and regional contracting companies, including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, RTX, Boeing and GE Aerospace, attended this year’s event. Representatives met individually with small business owners and managers, listening to them give their sales pitches and presenting their capabilities statements.
Eastern Kentucky-based businesses showcased their products and capabilities, meeting one-on-one with defense prime contractors at the symposium. The event also allowed these same manufacturers to network. Over the years, numerous connections have been established, fostering an ever-expanding growth ecosystem among these small and medium-sized advanced manufacturers.
SEED is a program created by SKED to train, certify, and prepare the region’s advanced manufacturers to do business with large corporations and two- and three-tier automotive manufacturers.
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver says the SEED program and the symposium contribute to the 39-year-old nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution’s mission.
“I am grateful for the time our guests have given us by traveling here and learning more about what our region has to offer,” Traver said. “The deeper connections we can make, the better.”
SKED’s SEED partners include the Kentucky MEP, Kentucky APEX Accelerator and Shaping our Appalachian Region (SOAR).
For more information about the Eastern Kentucky SEED Contracting Symposium or SEED, please get in touch with Brett Traver, SKED executive director, at 606-677-6102 or brett@skedcorp.com.
