Welch new FHCEDP Director

Following a special called session Jan. 31 of the Fulton-Hickman Counties Economic Development Partnership Board, board members present voted to offer the position of FHCEDP Director to Mark Welch of Murray.

Welch, who currently resides in Murray, is a graduate of Fulton City High School and earned a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Radio-TV, with minors in Journalism and General Business, from Murray State University. He holds a Master of Science in Mass Communication from MSU.

From 2016 until the present, Welch served as a liaison between the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid and Local Public Agencies in 40+ counties in west and central Kentucky. Among his duties in that role, were to assist mayors and county judge/executives in the application for and administration of state and federal infrastructure funds, as well as work closely with state and federal legislators, Area Development Districts and State Highway Districts on strategic planning, communication and constituent services.

Welch replaces Wendy Puckett as Director, following her resignation in late October, 2019.

At that time, the board chose to hire Centerpoint Business Solutions of Union City, Tenn., to assist them in their search, with Elizabeth Pritchett representing that company and working with the FHCEDP Executive Committee to evaluate resumes and make recommendations as to candidate interviews. Serving as the Executive Committee are Greg Curlin, Board Chair, Debbie Weatherford, Greg Pruitt, Judge/Executive Jim Martin and Cubb Stokes.

On Jan. 24, the board met for a near two-hour special called session to discuss candidates and potentially make an offer to one of them for the position. That action did not take place, following a return to open session.

At the Jan. 31 special called meeting of the board at Fulton’s City Hall, board members present were Robert Burrow, Greg Curlin, Susan Malone, Fulton County Judge/Executive Jim Martin, Amanda Morris, Cubb Stokes, Milton Dean, David Gallagher and Debbie Weatherford present. Board members James Coffey, Rex Coffey, Greg Pruitt and Jeff Vaughn were absent.

A motion was made and seconded to hire Welch at that meeting, with all members present voting yes.

Welch met with Board Chair Greg Curlin on Monday to finalize the employment contract.

“Although I have lived in Murray since graduating from Murray State University, I am a product of Fulton City. Interestingly, my hometown heritage is the result of a successful economic development effort. When Ferry-Morse Seed Company, my father’s employer, decided in the late 1950s to move its packet seed division out of downtown Detroit, Mich., it chose Fulton, Kentucky....and we tagged along. I am so grateful my parents saw the potential opportunities and relocated our family,” Welch said in his cover letter, with the submission of his resume for consideration.

“I am very aware of the myriad of challenges Fulton and Hickman Counties face. I have seen the evidence of economic downturns in both counties in my work with the Transportation Cabinet. I have had tough conversations with city and county leaders about those struggles. However, I am optimistic about future growth and economic opportunities there,” Welch said.

According to FHCEDP Board Chair Greg Curlin, Welch will begin his position Thursday.