Plans are underway for the second 'Shaping Our Appalachian Region' Summit. The February meeting is expected to focus on implementing economic and social strategies for eastern Kentucky.
Soar Executive Director Jared Arnett says the upcoming summit will focus on accelerating efforts for further growth in eastern Kentucky counties. He says the meeting will be about defining tactics to meet goals in areas like workforce readiness, education, health, and attracting business. "We've got tremendous great ideas and lots of them. We're still open to those. We're still gonna take them. But this is about really, how do we get to work on what needs to be done to move the region forward," said Arnett.
Arnett says since SOAR was launched a little over a year ago, about 2,500 people have contributed to the plan. He says broadband improvements are expected to be a focal point in 2015. "It takes our entrepreneurs and our business owners understanding 'what are my opportunities now that this is gonna be in place?' I see what it looks like. I see the details of what it's gonna do, but what does that mean to me," explained Arnett.
A number of federal agencies have taken an interest in the program. Arnett says in addition, legislation will go before state lawmakers in February. "There will be some conversation this year about setting up a state fund, that if the state wanted to invest in SOAR strategies, that would be a place where they could put the money," said Arnett.
Arnett says state legislators will not be asked to put aside any funding this session. He says part of the strategy involves refocusing existing services. This year's SOAR summit is planned for February 16th at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville.?
