Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has earned a Knoxville Chamber 2026 Pinnacle Business Award in the Impact Award category for its efforts to build partnerships, support the community and expand affordable housing.
“Being a catalyst to improve and transform communities is at the core of what we do each day,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “KCDC’s impact can be measured not only in new buildings or investments, but in the lives changed: children developing in safe environments, seniors aging with dignity, veterans finding stability and families gaining access to healthcare and opportunity. By aligning partners, resources and residents toward shared goals, KCDC is helping to build a stronger, healthier and more equitable community.
“We’re honored to be recognized with the Impact Award by the Knoxville Chamber and proud of our team members and partners who deserve this recognition.”
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) was presented a Knoxville Chamber 2026 Pinnacle Business Award in the Impact Award category at a ceremony March 5 at The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm. Pictured from left: Andy Beam of Pinnacle Financial Partners, presenting sponsor of the Pinnacle Awards; Keith Kuykendall of Segra, sponsor of the Impact Award; KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley; and Knoxville Chamber Board Chair Rob Stivers of Regions Bank.
The annual Pinnacle Business Awards salutes regional business excellence across nine categories, with winners chosen by the Knoxville Chamber board of directors. The Impact Award celebrates community improvement in multiple areas and the ability to engage other partner organizations in these endeavors. An event honoring the winners was held March 5 at The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm.
KCDC was chosen for the Impact Award in part by its work to expand affordable housing across Knoxville, including the innovative Liberty Place initiative. The Liberty Place housing community, which serves the needs of military veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, is becoming a model for other communities to follow. Strategic partnerships brought the community to reality, with individuals, groups and organizations across the area stepping up to provide services and goods – including comfortable home furnishings – to support the residents.
KCDC has brought or is committed to bringing more than 1,200 renovated, replaced and new housing units to the local market between 2020 and 2029. In meeting the parameters of the Impact Award, KCDC has brought more than $500 million in housing investment to the Knoxville area over the past 10 years; leveraged more than $100 million in philanthropic and private investment for neighborhood projects that uplift Knoxville; championed environmental stewardship in each redevelopment; and fostered healthcare, education and workforce pathways, adding new on-site primary care clinics and partnering with schools, colleges and workforce agencies to connect residents to training and career opportunities.
“The rationale for any KCDC investment is the same: to align with the mission to collaborate with the Knoxville community to create and preserve housing opportunities and strengthen neighborhoods,” Bentley said. “This is especially important during a time when Knoxville has a huge shortage of housing units, and we believe the Impact Award further confirms that we’re succeeding in reaching our mission.”