SOAR Initiative Working Groups to Meet at Annual East Kentucky Leadership Conference Next Week; Public Invited to Join

Press Release

As the work of the "Shaping Our Appalachian Region", or SOAR, initiative moves forward, citizens are invited to attend next week's annual East Kentucky Leadership Conference in Somerset to take part in one of ten SOAR working groups.

This conference will mark the first formal meetings of these working groups, which are tasked with leading large-scale discussions throughout southern and eastern Kentucky on topics related to the region's economic future and quality of life. These "listening sessions' -- to take place in the spring and summer of 2014 -- will be open to businesses, local governments, organizations, and all interested citizens. The information collected during these sessions will be translated into detailed strategies for moving the region forward. Together, the strategies will compose the SOAR program of work to be presented at a regional summit in November.

"The SOAR working groups are our boots on the ground in this effort to revitalize and shape the future we want to enjoy in eastern Kentucky," said Congressman Hal Rogers. "If your passion and expertise is tourism, we need your talents in that working group. If you are skilled in economic development or education, we need you to share your wisdom with those groups. We are calling on individuals from across the region who are ready to take action to help lead this initiative forward."

"Since our huge SOAR launch in December, we have worked to maintain the momentum and interest we have seen in helping this region grow and thrive," said Governor Steve Beshear. "These ten working groups will continue to gather information and ideas, meeting with the citizens of the region over the coming months to make sure our combined efforts truly reflect the desires and recommendations of the people who live here. We cannot waste a moment, and I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in the well-being of this vital region to join us in Somerset for these first meetings."

Anyone can attend the working group meetings at no cost. While a few of the working groups have already met their capacity for formal membership, all meetings will be public and citizens are invited to attend those meetings. Working group meetings will be held on Thursday, April 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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