Druin Receives Award for 30 Years on Board

Friday September 15, 2006

Kentucky Highlands honors Robert Druin

for 30 years of service as board member

            LONDON, Ky. – Robert Druin of Clinton County received special recognition this month for his 30 years of service as a board member for Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation.

            “The success that Kentucky Highlands has achieved is due to the strength of our board members, such as Robert,” said Jerry Rickett, president and CEO of KHIC. “He has been an important link to the community and help set the course for our economic development efforts. In addition, his length of service has provided important continuity.”

            During Druin’s tenure, there have been many positive changes to the region. One of the biggest was the Empowerment Zone, which was awarded to Clinton, Jackson and Wayne counties in 1994. With Kentucky Highlands as the administrator, more than $260 million has been invested in the Empowerment Zone area.

In Clinton County, those 10 years of investment resulted in a 74 percent increase in median household income, tourism revenue that has almost doubled and a 74 decline in the number of families on public assistance.

The EZ also brought unprecedented national attention to the region. President Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president in more than a generation to visit Southeastern Kentucky.

“During my time as a board member, I’ve met Ted Kennedy, President Clinton, Vice President Gore and Jesse Jackson,” Druin said. “Never in my life did I expect to meet the president.”

Druin has been a board member for a majority of the time Kentucky Highlands has been in existence  38 years. KHIC has created more than 10,100 jobs in the region.

Druin has been married since 1965 and has one daughter. In addition to his job and civic activities, Druin enjoys traveling, fishing, watching TV game shows and the Internet.

Back To News Releases