PeADD Celebrated 56 Years of Regional Impact at Annual Dinner Meeting

On Monday, June 9, 2025, the Pennyrile Area Development District (PeADD) hosted its 56th Annual Dinner Meeting at The Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville. The event celebrated more than half a century of regional collaboration, economic progress, and community impact across western Kentucky.

With this year’s theme There’s No Place Like the Pennyrile, the evening took guests on a journey of discovery, resilience, and the power of coming home, symbolic of the partnerships and perseverance that have shaped the region’s success. The event brought together local leaders, public officials, regional partners, and community members for a night of recognition and reflection.

Throughout the evening, PeADD presented several service awards to board members and staff and honored the legacy of regional cooperation with the John C. Mahre Regionalism Award, named in memory of John Mahre, a lifelong advocate for community advancement and regional unity.

PeADD proudly recognized Elizabeth McCoy and Planters Bank as the 2025 recipients of the John C. Mahre Regionalism Award. Under McCoy’s leadership, Planters Bank has gone beyond the role of a financial institution to become a driving force for regional prosperity. Through community investment, philanthropic support, and a spirit of collaboration, McCoy and her team have embodied the ideals of regionalism and shared progress that Mahre held dear.

“Elizabeth McCoy and Planters Bank have consistently demonstrated that when one part of our region thrives, we all benefit,” said Jerry Gilliam, Christian County Judge/Executive. “Their work has built bridges across boundaries and created opportunities that strengthen our entire region.”

The keynote address was delivered by Melody Warnick, nationally recognized author and expert on place attachment and community engagement. Warnick, author of This Is Where You Belong and If You Could Live Anywhere, offered powerful insights into how communities can attract, retain, and inspire residents in an increasingly mobile and remote-work world. Her words resonated deeply with the evening’s themes of connection, belonging, and future growth.

The event was generously sponsored by Planters Bank of Hopkinsville, whose continued support of regional development efforts reflects the very spirit of the evening’s celebration.
The 56th Annual Dinner Meeting served as a heartfelt reminder that the strength of the Pennyrile region lies in its unity. PeADD extended its gratitude to all attendees for their continued support, vision, and commitment to building a stronger future together.