Big Changes, New Beginnings

WEBVTT
1
00:00:00.290 --> 00:00:03.430
And welcome to Kentucky Focus. I'm Scott Fitzgerald.
2
00:00:03.810 --> 00:00:07.049
Sometimes the biggest changes in a community start with an idea.
3
00:00:07.410 --> 00:00:09.650
It might be an idea that gives someone a fresh
4
00:00:09.689 --> 00:00:12.939
start or an idea that brings new investment, new jobs,
5
00:00:13.050 --> 00:00:16.579
and an opportunity, well, to a part of Kentucky where
6
00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:17.719
it hadn't been before.
7
00:00:17.739 --> 00:00:20.059
Today, we're going to take a look at two very
8
00:00:20.140 --> 00:00:22.820
different examples and how they can make a difference well
9
00:00:22.859 --> 00:00:24.820
beyond the people directly involved.
10
00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:28.730
I'm Scott Fitzgerald. That's coming up on Kentucky Focus.
11
00:00:29.230 --> 00:00:33.090
Welcome to Kentucky Focus on the Kentucky News Network, the
12
00:00:33.149 --> 00:00:36.549
show that looks at issues affecting the Commonwealth and its citizens.
13
00:00:37.009 --> 00:00:40.969
We cover state politics and history, human interest stories, sports,
14
00:00:41.250 --> 00:00:45.149
and even entertainment. It's Kentucky Focus on KNN.
15
00:00:46.329 --> 00:00:47.369
We didn't know what to expect.
16
00:00:47.390 --> 00:00:49.450
We were just left in a hotel.
17
00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:52.340
My mom was doing drugs in the house.
18
00:00:53.710 --> 00:00:57.310
And Brianna spent years of their childhood in homes that
19
00:00:57.409 --> 00:01:02.880
weren't safe. They were placed in foster care and longed
20
00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:04.859
for a permanent loving home.
21
00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:06.620
I didn't know what my future was.
22
00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:08.120
I wouldn't speak to anyone.
23
00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:09.799
I was afraid of everything.
24
00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:15.049
With help from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Brianna
25
00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:19.209
and Tay were adopted and now feel excited about their futures.
26
00:01:19.689 --> 00:01:22.189
I'm studying to be a chef and I really want
27
00:01:22.209 --> 00:01:24.569
to travel the world. I'm going to be a mechanic,
28
00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:26.780
and I can focus on my career.
29
00:01:27.379 --> 00:01:32.599
Right now, in the United States, there are more than 100,000
30
00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:36.739
children in foster care, just like Brianna and Tay, who
31
00:01:36.859 --> 00:01:43.030
need a family now. Learn how you can help at DaveThomasFoundation.org.
32
00:01:44.079 --> 00:01:47.450
Welcome back to Kentucky Focus. I'm Scott Fitzgerald. We're talking
33
00:01:47.510 --> 00:01:47.849
about a.
34
00:01:47.870 --> 00:01:51.150
Pretty unique opportunity to turn a home in need of
35
00:01:51.189 --> 00:01:52.510
some work into a brand new.
36
00:01:52.530 --> 00:01:56.189
Start for a Kentucky family. Rapid Fire Homebuyers.
37
00:01:55.670 --> 00:01:59.010
Is bringing its annual home giveaway to Lexington for the
38
00:01:59.030 --> 00:02:01.750
first time. But before that can happen, the company needs
39
00:02:01.790 --> 00:02:04.989
to find two things. One, a house to transform, and two,
40
00:02:05.450 --> 00:02:08.669
a deserving family to receive it. Andy Klunder is an
41
00:02:08.710 --> 00:02:12.150
investment sales specialist with Rapid Fire Homebuyers. And he's joining
42
00:02:12.229 --> 00:02:14.789
us now to help explain how the giveaway works, what
43
00:02:14.849 --> 00:02:16.969
kind of home the company is looking for, and.
44
00:02:16.909 --> 00:02:20.400
How you can nominate a family you think could benefit
45
00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:22.759
from a fresh start. Andy, good morning to you. Thanks
46
00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:23.400
for joining us.
47
00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:25.479
Good morning. My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
48
00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:27.740
You bet. So, Andy, let's start with the big picture.
49
00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:30.759
For someone hearing about the Rapid Fire Home giveaway for
50
00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:33.400
the first time, what exactly happens from the time you
51
00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:36.099
find the house to the time the family gets the keys?
52
00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:38.949
Yeah, so this is one of our core visions of
53
00:02:39.009 --> 00:02:42.449
our company is improving communities one house at a time.
54
00:02:42.870 --> 00:02:45.770
We love the opportunity to positively impact the areas that
55
00:02:45.810 --> 00:02:48.810
we serve. So we have actually completed two home giveaways
56
00:02:48.969 --> 00:02:51.610
and now we're looking to complete our third, this time
57
00:02:51.650 --> 00:02:52.409
here in Lexington.
58
00:02:52.569 --> 00:02:54.780
This is the third year you've done the giveaway, but
59
00:02:54.810 --> 00:02:57.060
the first time you're bringing it to Lexington.
60
00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:57.819
Why Lexington?
61
00:02:58.439 --> 00:02:59.580
We love Lexington.
62
00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:01.379
We see it as a great opportunity to help a
63
00:03:01.419 --> 00:03:05.810
family in need here in central Kentucky and We've committed
64
00:03:05.830 --> 00:03:10.550
to giving away 10 homes by the year 2031. Right
65
00:03:10.590 --> 00:03:12.110
now is the best time for us to give a
66
00:03:12.129 --> 00:03:15.789
deserving family a new home for the holidays. We're thrilled
67
00:03:15.849 --> 00:03:18.370
just to bring it here to the Lexington area.
68
00:03:18.509 --> 00:03:21.469
Again, we're talking about Rapid Fire Home Giveaway. Andy Klunder
69
00:03:21.569 --> 00:03:24.990
is an investment sales specialist with Rapid Fire Home Buyers,
70
00:03:25.090 --> 00:03:27.569
and they want to give a family, a deserving family,
71
00:03:27.590 --> 00:03:30.990
a new home. And as Andy said, just before the holidays.
72
00:03:31.129 --> 00:03:34.069
And Andy, let's talk about the house you're looking for.
73
00:03:34.110 --> 00:03:36.110
What kind of property would make a good candidate for
74
00:03:36.150 --> 00:03:36.590
this project?
75
00:03:36.909 --> 00:03:39.780
So really any kind of property, as long as there
76
00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:43.270
is some solid bones to it, solid foundation to it.
77
00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:49.250
We're looking for properties that are outdated, needs renovations, and
78
00:03:49.590 --> 00:03:52.770
it's just a great opportunity for us to create a
79
00:03:52.830 --> 00:03:55.849
new home for a family. Like I said, it doesn't
80
00:03:55.889 --> 00:03:58.689
matter if it's outdated, rough shape, vacant. We can get
81
00:03:58.729 --> 00:04:01.000
it in the hands of our contractors and really create
82
00:04:01.030 --> 00:04:03.009
something special and beautiful for our new family.
83
00:04:03.250 --> 00:04:04.689
Andy Klinder joining us again.
84
00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:07.659
He's an investment sales specialist with Rapid Fire Home Buyers.
85
00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:10.379
And we're talking about the Rapid Fire Home Giveaway. Andy,
86
00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:13.840
you're asking homeowners who may already be thinking about selling
87
00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:16.199
to reach out. What would you say to someone who
88
00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:17.680
has a house that needs a lot of work but
89
00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:19.500
isn't sure really what to do with it?
90
00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:22.379
Yeah, we'd love the opportunity to sit down and talk
91
00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:25.290
with them. If that property, you know, kind of fits
92
00:04:25.310 --> 00:04:28.269
what we're looking for, we would give them a cash
93
00:04:28.389 --> 00:04:29.310
offer for the house.
94
00:04:30.209 --> 00:04:30.629
We're out.
95
00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:34.259
Not asking anyone to donate a house or anything like that.
96
00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:36.939
We'll still buy it as is for cash. If it
97
00:04:36.980 --> 00:04:39.459
makes sense for our home giveaway, we're happy to let
98
00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:39.800
you know.
99
00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:43.319
Talking with Andy Klinder, investment sales specialist with Rapid Fire
100
00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:46.699
Home Buyers. Once Rapid Fire buys the property, what does
101
00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:48.980
that transformation actually look like?
102
00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:50.800
How extensive can the renovation be?
103
00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:55.620
Like I said, we're not looking for anything that's ratey, turnkey.
104
00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:58.379
That's our job is we make it turnkey. So we're
105
00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:01.199
looking for homes that maybe are a little dilapidated, are
106
00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:05.149
in need of repairs, completely outdated. Nobody's touched, you know,
107
00:05:05.250 --> 00:05:08.949
since the 70s or anything like that. And we have
108
00:05:09.050 --> 00:05:12.730
crews of contractors standing by ready. And once we get
109
00:05:12.769 --> 00:05:16.189
it in their hands, they will fully update the property,
110
00:05:16.709 --> 00:05:19.550
handle any renovations. And we make sure that when we
111
00:05:19.569 --> 00:05:22.060
turn that property over to a deserving family, that that
112
00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:27.259
property is fully modernized. completely safe and ready for someone
113
00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.259
to start a new life.
114
00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.220
He is Andy Klunder.
115
00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:32.560
He's investment sales specialist with Rapid Fire Home Buyers, and
116
00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:35.379
they're having a Rapid Fire Home giveaway, and they're looking
117
00:05:35.430 --> 00:05:38.810
for a deserving family they want to give the house to.
118
00:05:39.329 --> 00:05:41.189
So, Andy, there's the other side of this. That is
119
00:05:41.470 --> 00:05:44.649
finding the family. Who are you hoping the community will nominate?
120
00:05:44.970 --> 00:05:48.189
We're really looking for someone that is truly deserving, that
121
00:05:48.250 --> 00:05:52.139
needs a hand up, not necessarily a handout. Our previous
122
00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:55.819
home giveaway recipients, one was a single mother with a daughter.
123
00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:59.079
They were in a rough area out in Montgomery, Alabama.
124
00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:03.430
They literally had stray bullets shot into their house. And
125
00:06:03.470 --> 00:06:06.069
last year in Columbus, Georgia, we gave a home to
126
00:06:06.110 --> 00:06:08.649
a family that lost their home to a house fire,
127
00:06:09.569 --> 00:06:10.910
even losing a pet in there.
128
00:06:10.970 --> 00:06:13.050
But all these families had one thing in common.
129
00:06:13.129 --> 00:06:16.160
No matter what hardships they were going through, they were
130
00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:19.470
always willing to help others. And these are the types
131
00:06:19.509 --> 00:06:21.689
of people that we're looking for. Someone that's, you know,
132
00:06:22.149 --> 00:06:25.370
maybe in a little bit of financial trouble, um, living
133
00:06:25.389 --> 00:06:28.769
in a rough area, you know, works multiple jobs, things
134
00:06:28.810 --> 00:06:31.569
like that. And just really needs, um, that helping hand
135
00:06:31.629 --> 00:06:33.480
to get that next step in life going.
136
00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:37.560
Um, and you know, we want somebody who is, has
137
00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:37.920
maybe a.
138
00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:42.089
Little support group around them, a church or, um, workspace
139
00:06:42.110 --> 00:06:45.750
with other employees that would be happy to nominate them,
140
00:06:45.810 --> 00:06:49.290
or even just neighbors, communities. So anybody like that is
141
00:06:49.329 --> 00:06:51.959
someone that we're looking for, someone that we can give
142
00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:54.759
a hand up to and kind of help them start
143
00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:55.740
a new chapter in life.
144
00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:00.079
Andy Klunder joining us, investment sales specialist with Rapid Fire
145
00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:02.810
Home Buyers, and they're doing their annual home giveaway, and
146
00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:05.670
they're bringing it to Lexington for the first time, and
147
00:07:05.689 --> 00:07:07.230
they want to give a home.
148
00:07:07.110 --> 00:07:09.329
To a deserving owner. Andy's here to.
149
00:07:09.290 --> 00:07:11.129
Talk about that and how you can get folks into
150
00:07:11.149 --> 00:07:15.029
the mix. Andy, you've now done this in Montgomery and Columbus.
151
00:07:15.410 --> 00:07:17.939
What have you learned from the first two giveaways that
152
00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:19.420
you're now bringing to Lexington?
153
00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:22.120
The one main thing that we've learned is just how
154
00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:24.459
important it is to give back to the communities that
155
00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:25.519
we are a part of.
156
00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:29.139
It's something that's important to us. We improve communities one
157
00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:29.899
house at a time.
158
00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:32.579
And this is one step where we can give back
159
00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:36.879
and improve somebody's life, you know, and one person's life
160
00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:38.720
at a time. So same thing as what we did
161
00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:41.759
with our communities. We want to help individuals in our communities.
162
00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:44.899
So our communities do a lot for us. We try
163
00:07:44.930 --> 00:07:47.149
to improve our communities. And this is just a way
164
00:07:47.189 --> 00:07:49.889
that we can give back on top of like volunteer days,
165
00:07:49.949 --> 00:07:52.370
things like that, that we do. This is one of
166
00:07:52.430 --> 00:07:55.250
our true passions. And like I said, by the year 2031,
167
00:07:55.250 --> 00:07:56.209
we want to give 10 homes away.
168
00:07:56.250 --> 00:07:56.319
Wow.
169
00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:01.430
So Lexington is our market that we've chosen this year,
170
00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:04.050
and we're just looking for that special family and that
171
00:08:04.129 --> 00:08:10.529
special property that we can sink some finances into and
172
00:08:10.610 --> 00:08:13.689
make it something special for a family for their next chapter.
173
00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:16.899
How cool is that feeling, Andy, when you're there and
174
00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:19.240
you get to turn the keys over to the house?
175
00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:21.319
And I think it's kind of important to say this
176
00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:23.060
is a little different than the shows where they would
177
00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:24.920
go in and the families would move away and they'd
178
00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:26.959
renovate the house, you know, and then they'd come back
179
00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:28.839
and see it for the first time. Are these folks
180
00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:30.959
kind of on hand with you as you go through
181
00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:32.320
the process of renovating the home?
182
00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:36.360
We actually are looking for a house. We'll start the renovation,
183
00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:40.620
identify the property and start the renovation in the same
184
00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:43.639
time frame that we're kind of looking for that deserving family.
185
00:08:44.909 --> 00:08:47.429
So it all kind of happens at the same time.
186
00:08:47.529 --> 00:08:52.049
So the family doesn't necessarily walk through, but once they're selected,
187
00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:54.200
then we'll kind of take them over to the property,
188
00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:56.730
let them kind of see what's happening, go on through it.
189
00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:57.879
And then we'll.
190
00:08:57.700 --> 00:09:01.600
Kind of do an unveil when the house is completed
191
00:09:01.940 --> 00:09:04.879
and literally hand them the keys to the property free
192
00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:05.399
and clear.
193
00:09:05.870 --> 00:09:08.289
No mortgage, no anything like that. They are ready.
194
00:09:08.809 --> 00:09:11.909
It's just ready for them. And the house is completely
195
00:09:11.950 --> 00:09:14.320
free and clear of any kind of debt. So- They
196
00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:15.940
get that new start.
197
00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:17.659
Andy Klunder is joining us now.
198
00:09:17.710 --> 00:09:20.590
He's an investment sales specialist with Rapid Fire Home Buyers.
199
00:09:20.610 --> 00:09:23.250
They're doing the Rapid Fire Home giveaway, and they are
200
00:09:23.309 --> 00:09:26.169
looking for property. They're looking for families. They want to
201
00:09:26.210 --> 00:09:28.850
come into Lexington, renovate the house, give it to a
202
00:09:28.909 --> 00:09:32.539
deserving family. Andy, how cool is that feeling when you
203
00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:34.480
hand them over the keys? You've been through this before.
204
00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:35.899
How does that make you feel personally?
205
00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:36.600
Oh, my gosh.
206
00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:39.559
It's so rewarding for us because, you know, day in,
207
00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:41.200
day out, we're working renovations.
208
00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:43.279
Typically, we work with investors, things like that.
209
00:09:44.110 --> 00:09:48.009
But this is one where just a deserving.
210
00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:50.919
Family gets the keys to that house.
211
00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:53.860
And for us, it's just this huge feeling of reward
212
00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.429
that we've actually made a difference. And it's a big
213
00:09:57.470 --> 00:09:59.610
part of what we do as a company is we're
214
00:09:59.629 --> 00:10:02.200
trying to make a difference in our communities. And this
215
00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:04.639
is one of our big ones. Like I said, this
216
00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:07.039
is our third one we'll be doing, the previous two.
217
00:10:07.110 --> 00:10:09.610
It's just so nice to walk away and feel like
218
00:10:09.629 --> 00:10:14.110
you actually made a change positively for somebody's life and
219
00:10:14.230 --> 00:10:17.629
for someone in the community where we work and live.
220
00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:21.980
Now, even if folks, Andy, aren't necessarily looking to nominate
221
00:10:22.039 --> 00:10:24.580
someone for this or whatnot, but let's just say they
222
00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:27.210
own a property somewhere and they're like, I'm just sitting
223
00:10:27.289 --> 00:10:29.090
on it. It was willed to me or for whatever
224
00:10:29.149 --> 00:10:31.850
reason they have it. You guys come out, you buy
225
00:10:31.889 --> 00:10:35.009
the thing, you know, as it literally as is correct.
226
00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:38.299
That's correct. They don't need to do anything. I mean,
227
00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:40.620
they don't. We don't need it cleaned out, even if
228
00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:43.259
it's full of junk. We'll handle all of that.
229
00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:46.419
If it's something that they can part with, then we'll
230
00:10:46.450 --> 00:10:49.539
make them a fair offer on the property. And then
231
00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:52.299
we'll do what we do and get it transformed and
232
00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.679
given away to a family in need.
233
00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:57.139
Andy Klinder joining us now, investment sales specialist, Rapid Fire
234
00:10:57.159 --> 00:11:00.679
Home Buyers. It's the Rapid Fire Home Giveaway. Coming to Lexington,
235
00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:04.789
giving a deserving family, as Andy said, a brand new, well,
236
00:11:04.809 --> 00:11:05.850
I don't want to say a brand new home, but
237
00:11:05.870 --> 00:11:07.909
it basically is because you renovate it, you know, free
238
00:11:07.929 --> 00:11:10.009
and clear. So finally, before we get out of here,
239
00:11:10.029 --> 00:11:14.350
the deadline's October 23rd. If someone listening right now and
240
00:11:14.409 --> 00:11:17.789
immediately thinks, hey, I know someone who should be considered,
241
00:11:18.149 --> 00:11:19.789
What's the process for getting that started?
242
00:11:20.049 --> 00:11:24.070
Just reach out to us. It'll be on our website page.
243
00:11:24.090 --> 00:11:26.049
You can reach out to any of our phone numbers.
244
00:11:26.269 --> 00:11:28.620
You can Google us. Super easy to get in connection
245
00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:31.860
with us. You get in touch with anybody. associated with
246
00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:34.360
Rapid Fire in any way, shape, or form. And we
247
00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:37.399
are more than happy to get their name to the
248
00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:41.220
right person who's in charge of this and identifying that family.
249
00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:44.240
Andy Klunders with Rapid Fire Home Buyers joining us on
250
00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:47.899
Kentucky Focus. Again, Rapid Fire looking for a Lexington area
251
00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:50.669
house that it can purchase and completely renovate for this
252
00:11:50.710 --> 00:11:53.389
year's home giveaway. And they're also looking for that special
253
00:11:53.409 --> 00:11:57.350
Kentucky family who will ultimately receive that home. Family nominations
254
00:11:57.409 --> 00:11:59.629
are open through October 23rd. And if you have a
255
00:11:59.669 --> 00:12:02.559
property you think Could be a candidate for the project.
256
00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:05.659
Rapid Fire is asking you to get in touch as well. Andy,
257
00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:07.799
thanks for your time this morning. And a big salute
258
00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:10.820
to everybody there at Rapid Fire. That is an amazing,
259
00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:13.879
amazing project you're working on and giving a home to
260
00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.659
a deserving family.
261
00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:15.440
Thank you, my man.
262
00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:16.559
I appreciate it.
263
00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.919
I really appreciate the exposure that you give us so
264
00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:22.159
that we can– you guys are helping us out tremendously
265
00:12:22.250 --> 00:12:24.539
by getting the word out there so that we can–
266
00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:26.620
Keep moving forward with this and get this.
267
00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:27.080
Done this year.
268
00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.100
Anytime.
269
00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:28.899
Thank you, Andy.
270
00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:30.039
Thank you. I appreciate it.
271
00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:32.679
And thanks again to Andy Klunder with Rapid Fire Home
272
00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:35.899
Buyers and the conversation not just about giving someone a
273
00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:39.940
home who definitely deserves it, but maybe starting the conversation
274
00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:41.240
about providing others.
275
00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:43.919
With homes that need them that aren't necessarily in a position.
276
00:12:44.610 --> 00:12:48.149
to have adequate shelter. Thanks again, Andy Koender with Rapid
277
00:12:48.190 --> 00:12:48.789
Fire Homes.
278
00:12:49.110 --> 00:12:52.669
And we're staying focused on Kentucky communities because coming up next,
279
00:12:52.789 --> 00:12:56.139
we'll go to Eastern Kentucky, where a major investment is
280
00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:59.139
helping people move forward with a new project that hadn't
281
00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:01.860
been there really before. We'll talk about what's being built
282
00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:05.460
and why it's significant. I'm Scott Fitzgerald, and this is
283
00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:06.600
Kentucky Focus.
284
00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:10.019
I was in the hospital with my son for 18 months.
285
00:13:10.870 --> 00:13:13.789
When he got injured, I wasn't prepared but I knew
286
00:13:13.809 --> 00:13:14.909
I had to be strong.
287
00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:17.580
When I was told about John's injury, I was in
288
00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.399
complete shock.
289
00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:20.830
I just remember rushing into his room and giving him
290
00:13:20.889 --> 00:13:22.529
a big hug and letting him know I was there.
291
00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:25.580
These veterans and families are just a few of the
292
00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:28.879
heroes we serve at Homes for Our Troops. For thousands
293
00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:32.870
of severely injured veterans, everyday life is filled with barriers.
294
00:13:32.889 --> 00:13:35.570
It was really the little things throughout the house.
295
00:13:35.730 --> 00:13:37.909
Counters that you can't roll up to. How to drag
296
00:13:37.950 --> 00:13:38.990
my wheelchair down steps.
297
00:13:39.269 --> 00:13:41.870
I want to help, but he is so determined.
298
00:13:42.210 --> 00:13:45.730
At Homes for Our Troops, we build specially adapted custom
299
00:13:45.789 --> 00:13:50.039
homes with features like wheelchair access, roll-in showers, and automatic
300
00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:53.759
door openers that allow them to function independently and focus
301
00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:55.539
on their recovery and family.
302
00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.759
This house is freedom.
303
00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:58.799
It's hope.
304
00:13:59.019 --> 00:13:59.799
It's a new beginning.
305
00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:03.220
This house has given me my family back.
306
00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:06.279
To learn more, visit hfotusa.org.
307
00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:10.779
Welcome back to Kentucky Focus. I'm Scott Fitzgerald. Well, Kentucky
308
00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:13.120
is known around the world for bourbon. But when you
309
00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:17.419
think about where that bourbon is made, eastern Kentucky probably
310
00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:19.000
isn't the first place that comes to mind.
311
00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:23.220
There's something that could be changing, however. A new $ 60.
312
00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:26.120
Million distillery is under construction in Moorhead, and the company
313
00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:28.039
behind it says it's on track to become the largest
314
00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:32.919
dedicated contract distillery in Kentucky. Eastern Light Distilling has now
315
00:14:32.990 --> 00:14:36.830
secured more than $ 23 million in private investment with production
316
00:14:36.950 --> 00:14:39.830
expected to begin in 2027.
317
00:14:39.830 --> 00:14:42.370
But this isn't just a story about building a new distillery.
318
00:14:42.429 --> 00:14:45.830
It's about bringing Kentucky's signature bourbon industry into a part
319
00:14:45.870 --> 00:14:48.590
of the state that hasn't traditionally been at the center
320
00:14:48.629 --> 00:14:51.429
of it. And that's what we're heading to here with
321
00:14:51.529 --> 00:14:55.009
Kentucky Focus. And joining us now is we have Cordell
322
00:14:55.169 --> 00:14:55.769
and Caleb.
323
00:14:55.809 --> 00:14:57.169
Gentlemen, good morning.
324
00:14:57.289 --> 00:14:59.509
And thank you so much for taking time to join us.
325
00:14:59.669 --> 00:15:00.820
And we appreciate you being here.
326
00:15:01.129 --> 00:15:01.529
Good morning.
327
00:15:01.549 --> 00:15:03.059
Appreciate your time and glad to be here.
328
00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:03.639
All right.
329
00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:05.679
Thank you very much, Scott. You bet.
330
00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:09.220
And I'll let you fellas answer as you wish. When
331
00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:12.840
you look at Eastern Kentucky. What did you see that
332
00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.320
made you say, hey, this is where we want to
333
00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:16.179
build a major bourbon operation?
334
00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:20.110
So Easternite really is a platform built to service the
335
00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:23.850
industry through third-party manufacturing. We may not be your favorite
336
00:15:23.870 --> 00:15:26.389
brand on the shelf, but we help support many of
337
00:15:26.409 --> 00:15:29.850
the brands and businesses that call this industry home. For
338
00:15:29.950 --> 00:15:31.889
us to fulfill our mission, we knew that we had
339
00:15:31.929 --> 00:15:35.909
to find the absolute best place in Kentucky to to
340
00:15:35.950 --> 00:15:40.830
not just address client needs with expertise, with process design
341
00:15:40.870 --> 00:15:43.029
and things that happen within our plant, but also to
342
00:15:43.070 --> 00:15:45.789
make sure that we embrace a community that allows us
343
00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:47.580
to really take some of the pain points out of
344
00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:51.419
the whiskey making process, making it hyper-efficient, but also assembling
345
00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.600
some amazing ingredients.
346
00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:56.080
Right on. Caleb Kilbourne, Cordell Lawrence are joining us now.
347
00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:59.750
We're talking about Eastern Light Distilling and bringing bourbon to.
348
00:15:59.690 --> 00:16:01.269
The east side of Kentucky.
349
00:16:01.750 --> 00:16:06.830
So gentlemen, Moorhead isn't necessarily the first Kentucky community where.
350
00:16:06.570 --> 00:16:07.929
People associate with bourbon.
351
00:16:08.370 --> 00:16:10.769
So what does Moorhead and Rowan County offer that makes
352
00:16:10.830 --> 00:16:12.690
it so great for this industry?
353
00:16:13.330 --> 00:16:16.210
So even though people may not think of Eastern Kentucky
354
00:16:16.370 --> 00:16:19.259
as bourbon capital of the world, a lot of the
355
00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:23.409
barrels that actually create this bourbon, create this whiskey, are
356
00:16:23.450 --> 00:16:26.529
actually made right in that community. Morehead has historically been
357
00:16:26.570 --> 00:16:30.509
a hardwood capital of Kentucky, and with Independence State's new
358
00:16:30.570 --> 00:16:33.509
cooperage built in that area, a lot of whiskey is
359
00:16:33.590 --> 00:16:34.950
owed to eastern Kentucky already.
360
00:16:35.210 --> 00:16:37.110
So what does untapped really mean here?
361
00:16:37.129 --> 00:16:39.169
I mean, what's been missing in this part, why we
362
00:16:39.190 --> 00:16:41.629
haven't seen bourbon in that part of the state?
363
00:16:41.850 --> 00:16:42.970
Well, again, historically, you.
364
00:16:42.889 --> 00:16:45.750
Think about the concentration of distilleries in kind of central
365
00:16:46.389 --> 00:16:49.450
Kentucky and the Golden Triangle between Louisville, Lexington, and Bargetown.
366
00:16:50.169 --> 00:16:53.149
While Eastern Kentucky has all those resources, as Caleb mentioned,
367
00:16:53.169 --> 00:16:56.320
in terms of the access to hardwoods, creating the opportunity
368
00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:59.840
for the Cooperage to be successful there, there's also abundant
369
00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:04.259
freshwater access in that area. Looking River, Cape Run Lake,
370
00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.640
places like that, there's a new water treatment facility that
371
00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:10.779
is operational. In addition, there is plentiful grain and grain
372
00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:13.509
farmers in the area, as well as cattle farmers to
373
00:17:13.549 --> 00:17:15.890
absorb the waste stream from a facility of our scale.
374
00:17:16.430 --> 00:17:18.690
So it's kind of the ecosystem and the missing piece
375
00:17:18.710 --> 00:17:20.700
of the ecosystem was the distillery.
376
00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.220
Itself, funny enough.
377
00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:21.859
Wow.
378
00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:24.920
So to see all that come together is pretty special.
379
00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:27.579
And they really embrace that. So think of it as
380
00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:30.059
more as an agricultural product at its core, which it
381
00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:32.990
always has been, always will be. And again, we found
382
00:17:33.029 --> 00:17:35.190
kind of the right opportunity there to make that happen.
383
00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:38.599
Well, we're spending some quality time with Cordell Lawrence and
384
00:17:38.769 --> 00:17:43.369
Caleb Kilbourne. And, of course, they are with Eastern Light Distilling.
385
00:17:43.549 --> 00:17:46.730
And Cordell, he's the CEO and co-founder. Caleb, of course,
386
00:17:46.750 --> 00:17:49.150
the master distiller and co-founder. And we're talking about a
387
00:17:49.170 --> 00:17:52.529
new distillery, in part, not really traditionally known for bourbon.
388
00:17:52.569 --> 00:17:54.349
That is the eastern part of the state. And, fellas,
389
00:17:54.789 --> 00:17:56.309
when a $ 60.
390
00:17:55.430 --> 00:17:58.910
Million project comes into a community like Moorhead, obviously the
391
00:17:58.970 --> 00:18:01.430
construction and distillery jobs are important.
392
00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:03.819
But what kind of ripple effect can that have in
393
00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.660
the surrounding region?
394
00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:09.180
By expanding world-class bourbon production at this scale that we're
395
00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:11.720
bringing to eastern Kentucky, we're creating new opportunities in that
396
00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:15.440
region that really didn't exist before. Currently, a lot of
397
00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:17.660
the fine residents in the area are having to commute
398
00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:21.029
an hour or more each way for manufacturing and distilling
399
00:18:21.049 --> 00:18:23.549
jobs in typically the central part of the state, sometimes
400
00:18:23.630 --> 00:18:25.750
northern part of the state. So to be able to
401
00:18:25.789 --> 00:18:29.049
give them that time back with their families is invaluable.
402
00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:31.220
And we take a lot of pride in doing that
403
00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:33.579
and hope to have those employees for a long time.
404
00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:36.380
We're talking about one major distillery and how it actually
405
00:18:36.529 --> 00:18:38.559
helps create an ecosystem around it.
406
00:18:38.609 --> 00:18:43.390
We're talking suppliers, agriculture, transportation, tourism, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.
407
00:18:43.849 --> 00:18:46.589
What do you see down the road? What Eastern Light
408
00:18:46.650 --> 00:18:47.609
brings to this region?
409
00:18:47.809 --> 00:18:50.049
Well, with an investment of our scale, thanks to our
410
00:18:50.170 --> 00:18:53.089
private investors, we're able to create and generate a lot
411
00:18:53.109 --> 00:18:57.450
of economic development. Think of additional projects. hotels and hospitality
412
00:18:57.509 --> 00:19:00.130
opportunities in the area. And then broadly speaking, think of
413
00:19:00.190 --> 00:19:04.990
Eastern Kentucky becoming more of a multi-day or overnight destination
414
00:19:05.069 --> 00:19:07.900
versus a few hours in a day type of destination.
415
00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:11.380
So again, kind of building connective tissue amongst people in
416
00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:14.059
the area. We take the approach that Rising Tide lifts
417
00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:16.650
all boats in the region. And it's not just about
418
00:19:16.690 --> 00:19:18.930
Eastern Life, but it's about the entirety of Eastern Kentucky.
419
00:19:19.349 --> 00:19:23.630
Spending some quality time with Cordell Lawrence, CEO and co-founder,
420
00:19:23.670 --> 00:19:26.430
as well as Caleb Kilbourne, master distiller and co-founder of
421
00:19:26.549 --> 00:19:29.980
Eastern Light Distilling. And they're setting up a camp in
422
00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:32.579
the eastern part of the state, hoping to really kind
423
00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:34.460
of spread bourbon throughout the state.
424
00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:36.680
In an area that's not traditionally known for bourbon.
425
00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.420
So, fellas, I got to ask you, one of the
426
00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:42.849
things that makes Eastern Light different is the contract distilling model.
427
00:19:43.369 --> 00:19:44.730
For someone who's not familiar.
428
00:19:44.410 --> 00:19:48.240
With that business, what exactly does Eastern Light provide to
429
00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.000
that bourbon brand?
430
00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:52.680
When you look at the spirit's landscape, about half the
431
00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:57.420
brands you see in distribution rely on third-party manufacturers. Unfortunately,
432
00:19:57.440 --> 00:20:00.160
a lot of the legacy producers are really stingy with
433
00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:04.529
their marketable assets and make their clients sign NDAs where
434
00:20:04.549 --> 00:20:06.690
they can't say where and how their products are made.
435
00:20:07.089 --> 00:20:10.569
in order to preserve the marketable assets for the actual manufacturer.
436
00:20:11.309 --> 00:20:15.289
That's understandable. Everybody's serving their self-interest. But for us with
437
00:20:15.329 --> 00:20:18.430
Eastern Light, we wanted to provide provenance. We want to
438
00:20:18.450 --> 00:20:21.660
provide partnership that currently does not exist within the marketplace.
439
00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:25.720
We invite brands to affiliate, to embrace our facility, treat
440
00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:28.819
it as their own. Their makers are welcome to inhabit
441
00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:32.539
within our spaces and create their products with us. And
442
00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:35.920
that is just a fundamental shift within the distilled spirits industry.
443
00:20:36.430 --> 00:20:40.250
We want to be a partner-centric, focused distillery, and by
444
00:20:40.309 --> 00:20:43.259
building this plant in one of the most economically advantaged
445
00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:46.619
parts of the state, giving them a state-of-the-art facility for
446
00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:49.039
them to use to create their whiskey, it is just
447
00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.460
a partnership unlike any other.
448
00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:53.559
Again, we're talking with Cordell Lawrence and Caleb Kilburn. They
449
00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:55.509
are with Eastern Light Distilling, and they are setting up
450
00:20:55.529 --> 00:20:58.309
shop in the eastern part of Kentucky in Moorhead with
451
00:20:58.349 --> 00:21:00.809
a new distillery growing the brand in the eastern part
452
00:21:00.829 --> 00:21:03.450
of the state. And fellas, You're projecting the facility will
453
00:21:03.470 --> 00:21:07.549
eventually be capable of producing more than 125,000 barrels per year.
454
00:21:07.569 --> 00:21:10.890
That's a lot of bourbon. How do you build something
455
00:21:10.930 --> 00:21:11.490
like that.
456
00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:14.180
At that scale while maintaining the quality Kentucky bourbon is
457
00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.660
known for?
458
00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:18.960
Thanks to the achievements made earlier in mine and Cordell's career,
459
00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:22.460
we have a keen sense of what it takes to
460
00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:26.940
create a craft product, not just commodity, not just something
461
00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:30.250
that's throughput. but something that's truly award-winning that is appreciated
462
00:21:30.349 --> 00:21:34.200
by beginners, by aficionados, and everyone in between. When we've
463
00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:36.400
engineered this facility, we want to be able to make
464
00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:39.460
a dynamic array of different flavors and whiskeys to match
465
00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:43.349
the diversity of our clients while maintaining a cost structure,
466
00:21:43.369 --> 00:21:46.269
while maintaining a standard of excellence that will be second
467
00:21:46.329 --> 00:21:46.630
to none.
468
00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:51.750
You know, right along those lines, you recently announced $ 23. 1
469
00:21:51.589 --> 00:21:54.349
million in private investment, which helped you, of course, secure
470
00:21:54.369 --> 00:21:59.150
the USDA-backed financing and push the overall capital stack beyond
471
00:21:59.190 --> 00:22:02.849
that $ 60 million goal. What does reaching that milestone allow
472
00:22:02.869 --> 00:22:04.369
you to do that you couldn't do before?
473
00:22:04.690 --> 00:22:09.700
Well, it allows us to accelerate full development of that site,
474
00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:12.380
230 acres in total. So think of this as really
475
00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:18.299
an agricultural ecosystem centered around this 230-acre campus. That allows
476
00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:20.640
us to develop, again, kind of that ability to embrace
477
00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:24.099
our clientele, embrace the region, and embrace our partners, such
478
00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:27.079
as Independent Estate Company, largest cooperage company in our industry.
479
00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:30.039
We're talking bourbon now. We're talking the eastern part of
480
00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:32.849
Kentucky here on Kentucky Focus. Cordell Lawrence is the CEO
481
00:22:32.890 --> 00:22:36.089
and co-founder, and Caleb Kilbourne, the master distiller and co-founder
482
00:22:36.109 --> 00:22:39.529
of Eastern Light Distilling. And fellas, when people come to
483
00:22:39.569 --> 00:22:42.130
Kentucky for bourbon tourism, I have some folks I know
484
00:22:42.150 --> 00:22:43.650
from out of town that come in and we take
485
00:22:43.690 --> 00:22:46.339
them around to the different places. We often go to, say,
486
00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:50.519
central Kentucky or follow the traditional bourbon trail. Could eastern
487
00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:55.000
Kentucky eventually develop its own identity within the bourbon tourism industry?
488
00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.660
No doubt.
489
00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:59.089
I mean, think of all the natural beauty and pristine
490
00:22:59.109 --> 00:23:02.609
nature of that region. You have the gorge, you have
491
00:23:02.650 --> 00:23:06.029
Daniel Boone National Forest, you have a lot of underutilized
492
00:23:06.069 --> 00:23:09.660
and underleveraged natural resources that people can enjoy in terms
493
00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:13.349
of outdoor recreation and tourism that are unique in terms
494
00:23:13.369 --> 00:23:15.890
of combining that with part of a trip to visit
495
00:23:15.910 --> 00:23:17.609
a bourbon distillery and spend the night as well.
496
00:23:17.910 --> 00:23:20.069
Cordell Lawrence, again, CEO, co-founder.
497
00:23:20.130 --> 00:23:24.069
Caleb Kilbourne, master distiller and co-founder of Eastern Light Distilling.
498
00:23:24.089 --> 00:23:26.430
Of course, we're talking about bourbon now in the eastern
499
00:23:26.490 --> 00:23:29.019
part of the state, something I honestly, fellas, I didn't
500
00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:31.599
give a second thought to because I just didn't think
501
00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:33.359
it was in the eastern part of the state.
502
00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:35.480
So when you look at what you're doing here, you're
503
00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.880
really breaking ground, literally.
504
00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:40.579
Construction's underway now with the distilling operations expected to begin
505
00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:43.680
in late 2027. What are some of the major milestones
506
00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.519
between now and then that you have on your radar?
507
00:23:45.930 --> 00:23:49.930
So for us, it's really a twofold approach. Myself, Caleb,
508
00:23:50.089 --> 00:23:52.569
I tend to focus on the construction, the build out
509
00:23:52.589 --> 00:23:55.910
of the facility. We've got final engineering going on with
510
00:23:55.950 --> 00:23:59.990
the equipment that should be manufactured and delivered probably early Q1.
511
00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:03.980
We're observing a lot of the structure coordination taking place
512
00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:07.140
right now. It is just going to be an all-out
513
00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:11.579
sprint for the facility to finish. And I'm so excited
514
00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:14.319
to start commissioning and distilling whiskey in a part of
515
00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:16.000
the state not traditionally known for it.
516
00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:18.809
When you first brought this idea to the good folks
517
00:24:18.869 --> 00:24:20.890
in Moorhead in the eastern part of Kentucky, how did
518
00:24:20.910 --> 00:24:23.150
they receive this when you first mentioned it to them?
519
00:24:23.470 --> 00:24:26.829
Nothing but open arms. They went above and beyond, exceeded
520
00:24:27.029 --> 00:24:30.660
all expectations. In fact, we had a groundbreaking with all
521
00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:33.740
the political dignitaries, which was a very special day for
522
00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:35.940
all of us. It was amazing to see. I think
523
00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:39.420
it was upwards of 20 different counties represented with political
524
00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:42.390
leadership as well. Because we set out from day one
525
00:24:42.410 --> 00:24:45.549
to make this about Eastern Kentucky, not about us, not
526
00:24:45.589 --> 00:24:48.640
about that specific county, or even Moorhead itself, but about
527
00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.200
the whole region.
528
00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:52.339
As you talk to your compadres in the bourbon industry,
529
00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:54.180
do you ever get anything like, I don't know if
530
00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:56.880
that's going to work, or why didn't we think of
531
00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:59.519
that when you talk about bringing bourbon to Eastern Kentucky?
532
00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.400
Yeah, I think it kind of runs the gamut of
533
00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:04.660
what you detailed there for sure. But again, that makes
534
00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:06.950
us feel more confident about what we're doing.
535
00:25:06.970 --> 00:25:07.609
We're on to something.
536
00:25:07.750 --> 00:25:11.470
Great conversation again. Cordell Lawrence, CEO and co-founder of Eastern
537
00:25:11.509 --> 00:25:14.890
Light Distilling. Caleb Kilbourne, master distiller and co-founder as well.
538
00:25:14.930 --> 00:25:17.509
Last question for you, fellas. If we have this conversation,
539
00:25:17.569 --> 00:25:19.789
which I hope we do five to ten years from now,
540
00:25:20.470 --> 00:25:21.910
what do you think folks are going to be saying
541
00:25:21.930 --> 00:25:24.470
about Eastern Light and how they helped change Eastern Kentucky?
542
00:25:24.970 --> 00:25:27.650
When we look at Eastern Kentucky, we know that the heritage,
543
00:25:27.750 --> 00:25:30.750
the talent, the ingredients for success, they are all there.
544
00:25:31.289 --> 00:25:33.230
Eastern Kentucky is primed to make its mark not just
545
00:25:33.309 --> 00:25:35.710
in the bourbon industry but on the world. And we
546
00:25:35.730 --> 00:25:38.130
are just so excited for Eastern Light to be just
547
00:25:38.190 --> 00:25:40.700
a stage for Eastern Kentucky to rise to the occasion.
548
00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:44.259
And I know I said last question, because this is
549
00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:47.200
just fascinating to hear. Let's just say somebody's coming in
550
00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:49.539
from out of town, out of state, out of country, really.
551
00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.660
And they have your ear for just a minute. And
552
00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:54.720
you go, yeah, we have bourbon in Eastern Kentucky. What
553
00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.900
do you say to them when they say, we didn't
554
00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:58.359
know there was bourbon in Eastern Kentucky?
555
00:25:58.849 --> 00:26:01.269
Well, we would talk about things like getting the purity
556
00:26:01.369 --> 00:26:04.369
and the pristine nature of that region, hence why we
557
00:26:04.430 --> 00:26:07.089
located there in terms of access to those ingredients. So
558
00:26:07.109 --> 00:26:09.990
our water source is one of the cleanest raw water
559
00:26:10.009 --> 00:26:12.690
sources in the state of Kentucky, as confirmed by the Commonwealth.
560
00:26:13.490 --> 00:26:16.279
In addition, our rickhouses are going to be constructed on
561
00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:20.019
the first rise in the Appalachian Mountains, known as Cumberland Plateau.
562
00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:24.779
So that allows us to have unique ecosystem aspects in
563
00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:27.859
terms of natural airflow that is very good for maturation
564
00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:30.759
of bourbon. So, again, all those things to say that
565
00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:35.819
it's very differentiated from any other facility and production and
566
00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:39.609
or maturation environment. So it's not just another distillery. It's
567
00:26:39.670 --> 00:26:42.869
kind of geared towards that unique ecosystem.
568
00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:46.759
Fellas, great conversation. I appreciate you making time. He is
569
00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:51.039
Cordell Lawrence. Caleb Kilburn as well. Cordell is the CEO.
570
00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:55.500
Caleb is the master distiller at Eastern Light Distilling. And, fellas,
571
00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:57.769
if someone's listening and they want to get to their
572
00:26:57.789 --> 00:26:59.049
happy place and read more.
573
00:26:58.890 --> 00:26:59.789
About you, where can they go?
574
00:27:00.109 --> 00:27:02.710
Easternlight.com and, of course, all the social media handles out
575
00:27:02.750 --> 00:27:06.579
there as well. Please follow along. and appreciate your support.
576
00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:09.119
Oh, I know I will, boys. Thank you so much.
577
00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.660
Appreciate you.
578
00:27:10.349 --> 00:27:12.170
Once this gets going, let's make sure we revisit and
579
00:27:12.210 --> 00:27:14.289
talk and see how things are going. Looking forward to it.
580
00:27:14.309 --> 00:27:14.970
Appreciate your time.
581
00:27:15.130 --> 00:27:18.509
Thank you again to Caleb Kilburn and Cordell Lawrence, founders
582
00:27:18.549 --> 00:27:21.569
of Eastern Light Distilling. It's an interesting example of how
583
00:27:21.609 --> 00:27:25.900
investment and new ideas can bring something different to different regions.
584
00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:28.819
I'm Scott Fitzgerald. We'll wrap things up on Kentucky Focus
585
00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:33.660
after this. Again, you're listening to Kentucky Focus. Good morning, guys.
586
00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:35.599
I just want to warn you, traffic is tough out there.
587
00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:37.259
We are here for you to tell you how to
588
00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.740
keep safe.
589
00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.819
Everybody who is listening needs to take cover as soon
590
00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.299
as they can.
591
00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:43.119
To provide the music, talk, and sports you love. And
592
00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:45.619
to deliver the news that matters to you. We are
593
00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:48.400
the voices you can trust. We are live and local.
594
00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:53.109
We are America's broadcasters. Text radio to 52886 and tell
595
00:27:53.150 --> 00:27:55.490
Congress you depend on your local radio stations.
596
00:27:55.650 --> 00:27:56.829
Message and data rates may apply.
597
00:27:57.049 --> 00:27:58.630
You may receive up to four messages a month and
598
00:27:58.650 --> 00:27:59.769
you may text STOP to STOP.
599
00:28:00.150 --> 00:28:02.769
This message furnished by the National Association of Broadcasters.
600
00:28:03.230 --> 00:28:05.930
And that'll do it for this edition of Kentucky Focus.
601
00:28:05.950 --> 00:28:08.210
A big thank you to Andy Klunder with Rapid Fire
602
00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:10.940
Home Buyers, and hopefully someone here in the Commonwealth gets
603
00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:14.160
into that home they so deserve, and they can make
604
00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.680
that happen for someone special.
605
00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.259
And thank you to.
606
00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:20.579
Caleb Kilburn and Cordell Lawrence of Eastern Light Distilling for
607
00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:24.619
taking time to talk about investment and developments in Moorhead,
608
00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:28.150
in a place typically not known for bourbon. great to
609
00:28:28.170 --> 00:28:29.970
see them expand in this state and good luck to
610
00:28:30.009 --> 00:28:32.490
them of course and as always thank you the listener
611
00:28:32.529 --> 00:28:34.710
for taking time to listen to us we here at
612
00:28:34.730 --> 00:28:37.329
Kentucky Focus are all about the people the businesses and
613
00:28:37.349 --> 00:28:40.690
the ideas help shaping our great state of Kentucky and
614
00:28:40.730 --> 00:28:41.470
we can't wait.
615
00:28:41.329 --> 00:28:43.769
To bring you more stories just like that for all this.
616
00:28:43.670 --> 00:28:47.079
At Kentucky Focus and the Kentucky News Network I'm Scott
617
00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:49.279
Fitzgerald thanks for taking time for us we'll talk to you.
618
00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:51.259
Next time on Kentucky Focus.
619
00:28:51.579 --> 00:29:02.700
Kentucky We cover state politics and history, human interest stories, sports,
620
00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:06.539
and even entertainment. It's Kentucky Focus on KNN.