Growth Spurts

Economic developers want actionable, proven playbooks. Growth Spurts is the voice of real-world development execution and success stories told by the people who made them happen. Using Henderson, KY, as a case study of rural and regional development, we reinforce the narrative of a strong local support system and of doing what it takes to prepare for the future, offering insights and strategies for similar communities. 

Episodes

Jun 25, 2026

39 min

From the baseball field to the boardroom, Wade Gaynor, Henderson County Market President at Independence Bank, joins us to talk about Henderson’s natural advantages, what it means to stay competitive and driven on and off the job, and shares some great advice for the next generation of leaders and decision-makers.

May 28, 2026

45 min


What does growth look like from the perspective of one of Henderson, KY's oldest existing industries? This question and more are answered on this month's episode of Growth Spurts!
 
Growth Spurts Ep. 5: Building Authentic Relationships features Ben Johnston, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer of Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group. Together, Ben and Missy discuss building a culture in the workplace, team huddles, Ben's roles within HED, and more! Be ready to tune in this Thursday, May 28, to hear the full conversation!

Apr 30, 2026

45 min


On this episode of Growth Spurts, Executive Director Missy Vanderpool is joined by guest host Brad Staton, HED Board Member and Mayor of the City of Henderson, KY, for an update on retail development.
 
They'll cover retail recruitment, campaign season, collaboration with local partners, and much more!

Mar 26, 2026

46 min

On this month's episode, the team celebrates Women's History Month with guest host, Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) President and CEO, Terri Bradshaw!
 
Missy, Whitney, and Terri take a deep dive into women in leadership, economic development trends, share advice that's great for everyone, and more! 

Feb 27, 2026

32 min

Be sure to tune in to this month's episode featuring guest host, Henderson Economic Development board chair and President of Faupel Automotive, Kate Faupel Grealish! Missy and Kate have great discussions on collaboration, growing a community, accepting the challenge, and more!

Jan 27, 2026

51 min

In the inaugural episode of Growth Spurts, host Missy Vanderpool sits down with Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider to lay the foundation for how economic development works at the local level.
From the fundamentals of economic development to the critical role of collaboration, infrastructure, and long-term planning, Judge Schneider shares how leadership, partnerships, and patience shape a community’s growth. The conversations explore the impact of I-69, why infrastructure investments matter long before results are visible, and how Henderson positions itself for sustainable, future-ready growth.
This episode sets the stage for the series, offering practical insight into what it takes to build momentum, align stakeholders, and create opportunities that last.

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