KHIC was formed in 1968 to stimulate growth and create employment opportunities in a nine-county region of Southeastern Kentucky. In 2003, KHIC expanded the service area to twenty two counties, which include the counties of Bell, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Madison, McCreary, Owsley, Perry, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne and Whitley.