Cumberland Valley Area Development District

The Cumberland Valley Area Development District (CVADD) is one of 15 Area Development Districts in the state of Kentucky and is comprised of Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley Counties. The Area Development Districts have evolved from conduits for regional and local economic development planning to catalysts of change in almost all aspects of life throughout the state and in our individual regions. Further, the ADDs are designed to be the focal point of a necessary Federal-State-Local partnership for improvement of the quality of life in the Commonwealth. This effort includes the elimination of, or certainly lessening of, parochialism; establishment of a forum to discuss and deal with common problems among counties; provision of a professional staff for units of government who individually cannot afford a staff; and to provide a vehicle for the delivery of services in a consistent manner where no other efficient system exists. Each ADD is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of elected officials from the counties and communities within the District, as well as non-elected citizen members representing a cross-section of the region's social and economic institutions. The Area Development Districts serve as forums, clearinghouses, technical centers, and as conveners for the region.