SUCCESS STORY

Kentucky native Kelly Upchurch had an ambitious vision: opening a network of adult day care centers across rural Kentucky. These centers would offer supervised daytime care for the elderly, allowing their family caregivers to find or keep jobs.

There are more than 6,000 adult day care centers in the U.S., but most are in major metropolitan areas. Kelly realized rural Kentucky had a tremendous need for such facilities. In 1997, he quit his job at a local hospital to start American Health Management, Inc.

A psychologist, with extensive experience in the field of rehabilitation, Kelly believed he had the knowledge and commitment to make American Health Management a success. He knew he needed financing to get started, and access to business expertise to ensure lasting success. A call to the director of the local Empowerment Zone led Kelly to Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC).

From the very first meeting the chemistry felt right. "I was really impressed with their overall understanding of my field and enthusiasm for my idea. This was a new concept that I thought might scare away traditional bankers or venture capitalists. But it didn't scare them at all," Kelly says.

KHIC's Executive Vice President and COO, Ray Moncrief, was impressed with Kelly's idea, but more impressed with Kelly himself. "I don't look at the deal first, I look at the people," Moncrief said. "I liked him and his track record. I thought his idea was a natural fit for us because it would create professional jobs in a rural area where we need more professional jobs."

In 1998, with a $75,000 equity investment and $15,000 working capital loan from KHIC, Kelly opened the Clinton Adult Day Health Care Center in his hometown of Albany. Three years later, he has five centers: in Albany, Monticello, Pineville, Harlan, Whitley City, and Hazard.

Together, the centers employ more than 50 people from the communities where they are located, and serve 150 participants a day.