Attorney and Entrepreneur Revitalizes Communities and Creates Jobs in Southeastern Kentucky
Joshua (Josh) Howard had been interested in entrepreneurship from a young age and worked for various small businesses before starting his own businesses. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Law in 2006 and receiving his Juris Doctorate four years later. Josh was licensed to practice law in Kentucky in 2011.
After opening a 5-person law practice with his wife in his hometown of Pineville, KY, Josh decided to invest in local properties, rehabilitate them and create an entrepreneurship incubator and local jobs.
But Josh realized that he was going to need some additional assistance for these small businesses. So, he contacted an SBA Resource Partner, the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located on the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College campus in nearby Middlesboro.
So, Josh worked closely with Middlesboro SBDC Director Sam Coleman. They talked frequently, and when Josh decided to invest and renovate the Old City Hall Building in Pineville, Sam helped him put together a business plan and examine financing options.
In 2014, Josh presented his plan to Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC), a nonprofit that has a mission to “provide and retain employment opportunities in Southeastern Kentucky through sound financial investments” and technical assistance.
KHIC is also a very active SBA lender and approved an SBA microloan for Josh’s first project.
The Old City Hall property now houses a women’s fine clothing boutique, a hair and nail salon, a cigar shop and the Howard Law Firm’s first office.
Since 2014, Josh has opened two more law offices, one in Harlan (2016), the other in Whitesburg, KY (2020). Between those expansions, Josh renovated additional office space in downtown Pineville for apartments and commercial space.
The renovated commercial spaces now contain a tavern, spirit shop and pub; physical therapy, dental and chiropractic offices, as well as other retail and professional offices; and two restaurants: one is Italian, the other serves Southern Cuisine. Josh also renovated more space and started a Bed and Breakfast, which operated for almost two years before he sold the business.
For over 11 years, Josh worked closely with Sam Coleman at the SBDC on his projects, which helped to create over 60 jobs and revitalize numerous communities.
He also has worked with Mark Bolinger, Vice President of Business Lending at KHIC, where he has received seven (7) SBA microloans for projects across the region. Mark commented: “These SBA microloans fill the gap in lending throughout the region and are a great tool for projects like what Josh does.”
For his entrepreneurial efforts and job creation, Josh was recognized as the 2020 Rural Small Business of the Year in Kentucky.
Although extremely busy with his law practice, real estate investments and small businesses, Josh also gives back to his community. He is a member of the Kentucky SBDC Advisory Board. He is also involved with the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, which “brings together people, ideas and resources to build communities and encourage philanthropy.”
Regarding former Middlesboro SBDC Director Sam Coleman, Josh said, “Sam is a true asset and has played a vital role with his assistance and dedication. He used all of the tools and information that the SBDC has for startups and existing small business expansions in Eastern Kentucky.”