I attended the recent East Kentucky Leadership conference (see here and here) at which there was quite a bit of discussion about economic development. On one panel a group of Eastern KY political and business heavyweights including the Gov's Chief of Staff- Jim Cauley, Bill Weinburg, Jerry Johnson, Ron Eller (as much a heavyweight as a policy wonk and academic can be) and others waxed about the ways E. KY could grow it's economy.
At one point Al Cross, another panelist and the Dean Emeritus of the state's political journos, stepped in to really plug KECI. He suggested that E. KY Leadership Foundation look into expanding the club into far Eastern Kentucky.
At another point Jim Cauley stepped in to smack down a conversation that seemed to be tipping its hat to industrial recruitment. I can't remember the exact quote, but he essentially said the Governor rejected the strenght of that strategy and wanted to invest in KY companies instead. Several folks clapped loudly and awkwardly... me included.
I think there's an opening to expand KECI into the mountains with the right strategy. Wonder if an EDA grant would support that? Ron, Katie, Mel... you out there? Thoughts?
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