Stephen Taylor is Development Director for Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC). He has been with Kentucky Highlands since 1992. Mr. Taylor identifies and secures funding KHIC’s business lending, entrepreneurial development, and affordable housing development efforts. He also obtains funds and manages partnerships to implement various economic development pilot projects. Prior to becoming Development Director, Stephen developed the company’s United States Department of Agriculture Intermediary Relending Program and the United States Small Business Administration Microloan Program through funding acquisition and making loans. Stephen joined KHIC after working for three years as a grant writer and revolving loan fund manager for a regional planning agency.

Stephen joined Kentucky Association for Economic Development in 1992 and served as a board member for five years. As a board member and VP of the KAED Foundation, he helps to plan and evaluate the organization’s educational programming. In 1999

He is a founder, secretary, and board member of the Appalachian Development Alliance, the first CDFI collaborative. It was established in 2000 by eight nonprofit nontraditional lenders to better serve Appalachian Kentucky’s business community through cross-marketing, joint lending, and professional development programs.

Stephen researched entrepreneurial leadership to earn a PhD from the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY.  He 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 earned his Economic Development Finance Professional certification in 1994 and Certified Economic Developer certification (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council in 2006. He currently serves on IEDC’s Education and Certification Committee. He is a certified facilitator of the Entrepreneurial Learning Institute’s Ice House Entrepreneurial mindset training program and a graduate of Leadership East Kentucky and Leadership Tri-County.