Stephen Taylor is Development Director for Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC). He has been with Kentucky Highlands since 1992. Mr. Taylor’s responsibility is to identify and secure funding for various economic development projects and Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation supporting business lending, entrepreneurial development and affordable housing development . He also manages a number of partnerships with KHIC’s numerous partnering organizations. Prior to becoming Development Director, Stephen was involved in developing the company’s United States Department of Agriculture Intermediary Relending Program and the United States Small Business Administration Microloan Program. He served as board member Kentucky Association for Economic Development for 5 years and a regional leadership development organization for 10 years.

He is a founder, secretary and board member of the Appalachian Development Alliance, a community development financial institution (CDFI) nonprofit organization representing six nontraditional lending organizations serving Appalachian Kentucky. Stephen joined KHIC after working three years for a state funded regional planning agency.

He earned his Economic Development Finance Professional certification in 1994 and certified economic developer certification (CEcD) in 2006. He currently serves on IEDC’s Education and Certification Advisory Committee. Mr. Taylor earned his B.S. in Industrial Technology Management and Education at Berea College, Berea, Kentucky and his M.A. at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. Stephen is a graduate of Leadership East Kentucky and Leadership Tri-County where he serves as Economic Development Day Chair.