Kentucky Power Discusses Community Investment and Economic Growth at Southeast Kentucky Chamber

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Southeast Kentucky Chamber hosted representatives from Kentucky Power for a Lunch & Learn presentation on Tuesday, August 11. Attendees heard from Dalton Hatfield, director of external affairs, and Ryan Howell, external affairs manager, about the company's community investment and its role in regional economic development. 

Hatfield and Howell shared background on Kentucky Power's operations and highlighted the company's ongoing commitment to Eastern Kentucky. In 2026, Kentucky Power has participated in 13 volunteer events, 25 youth engagement events and 90 community initiatives to date.

The presentation also addressed the growing role of data centers and artificial intelligence-driven energy demand in economic development nationally and regionally; a topic of particular interest in Southeast Kentucky, where data center development has become a frequent subject of local discussion.

According to Kentucky Power, data centers represent large energy users that can also drive economic growth. The company said it has established safeguards through tariffs filed with and approved by the Public Service Commission to prevent data centers from shifting costs onto residential customers.

Hatfield and Howell outlined several immediate opportunities data centers can bring to host communities, including multi-year construction jobs, permanent and stable career opportunities, increased local tax revenue, and shared utility costs that can support rate stability for residential customers.

Additional safeguards discussed include a 20-year commitment requirement for companies seeking to build data centers, up-front collateral requirements, and a five-year notice period for either a capacity reduction or an exit from the utility's service territory. The pair also pointed to sister company Indiana Michigan Power's recently announced residential rate reduction, attributed to load growth from a data center project in its service area.

Following the presentation, Hatfield and Howell answered questions from an audience of Chamber member representatives.

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber encourages the community to visit sekchamber.com for updates on upcoming events and programs.

About the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce:
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce serves businesses and communities across an eight-county region, working to advocate for its members, strengthen regional partnerships and promote economic opportunity throughout Southeast Kentucky. For more information, visit www.sekchamber.com.

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