Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Rural Community Entrepreneurship Workshops to Be Held

Frankfort, KY. (September 12, 2006)-The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy has announced that through the Kentucky Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (KCADE), they are teaming up with the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute (KECI) to offer a one-day entrepreneurship workshop titled Creating an Entrepreneurial Culture in Your Community in two areas of the Commonwealth.  These workshops are for anyone interested in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in their community.

The first workshop will be held on Thursday, September 21 at Barren River Lake State Resort Park from 9:30 AM-3:30 PM CDT. The second workshop will be held Friday, September 22 at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park from 9:30 AM-3:30 PM EDT.

The workshop features components of the Coaches Institute’s nationally recognized program that has been training coaches in northeastern counties of Kentucky for the last two years.  Participants will hear from featured speaker Karen Dabson of the National Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.  Dabson is a Director of Program Development and has extensive experience in entrepreneurship and community development finance, both in the field and at the policy levels.  She leads the program development efforts so that communities get what they need to become more entrepreneurial.  She connects with a variety of community partners on local, regional, state and national levels to coordinate resources and to devise new strategies and policies for making rural communities and regions economically strong, and entrepreneurship driven.

During her morning presentation, participants will receive an overview of entrepreneurship as an effective economic development strategy for rural Kentucky.  Dabson will also help participants begin to develop a blueprint for identifying, engaging, and energizing entrepreneurs in their community.

In the afternoon, Kentucky entrepreneurs from each area will share their experiences in starting their businesses.  Dr. Ron Hustedde of KECI will cover ways to stimulate entrepreneurship on a local level.  Finally, participants will learn about and discuss ways to create an entrepreneurial culture through youth.

Pre-registration is due by Monday, September 18.  There is a small fee of $20 per person involved, which includes lunch.  Although we will accept registration at the door, space may be limited.  For more information or to register, contact Sandy Gardner at the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy at (502) 564-4627 or sandrap.gardner@ky.gov or visit http://agpolicy.ky.gov/kcade/cecc_main.shtml.