Appalachian Center Launches Growing Local Economies Initiative

There is a growing consensus that conventional economic development approaches have not worked well for Appalachian Kentucky.  However, lacking sufficient models or resources to pursue alternative strategies, many localities remain entrenched in conventional economic development practices. 

To address this, the Appalachian Center and its partners formed the University of Kentucky Growing Local Economies Initiative.  This Initiative, aimed at supporting local and regional economic development efforts in Eastern Kentucky, is comprised of three complimentary components, including:

•    UK Economic Development Collaborative.  This group was formed in January 2008 in order to coordinate, share, and disseminate research within the university relating to economic development, particularly in rural and/ or distressed regions.
•    Appalachian Growing Local Economies Regional Network.  This group grew out of a regional economic development retreat held in West Liberty in February, 2008.  The network will support state, regional and local economic development professionals in their efforts to share information and ideas and coordinate services for more meaningful impact.  Network members will also engage in dialogue about viable alternative regional economic development strategies for Eastern Kentucky.
•    Economic Beanstalks Teams.  Teams in several Appalachian counties are forming and preparing to go through a planning process for local economic development in their communities.

Through these collective projects, the UK Growing Local Economies Initiative is supporting economic visioning and planning efforts in the region and exploring alternatives to conventional approaches to development such as industrial recruitment.  Upcoming events include:

October 29, 2008 – Growing Local Economies Forum: Creating Economic Opportunities in Tough Times.  First Federal Center at Hazard Community and Technical College, Hazard, Kentucky.  To register for the event or for more information, contact Pam Webb at prwebb2@uky.edu.

November 14, 2008 – UK Rural Community and Economic Development Research Conference.  University of Kentucky (location TBA).  For more information contact Alison Davis at Alison.davis@uky.edu.

The University of Kentucky Growing Local Economies Partnership is comprised of the UK Appalachian Center, Cooperative Extension Rural Economic Development, the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute, the Kentucky Small Business Development Centers, and the Training and Development Corporation of Bucksport, Maine.

To learn more about the Growing Local Economies Initiative, contact Evelyn Knight at eknight@uky.edu.