Elected officials and employees of county and city governments are eligible for training hours through the Kentucky Department for Local Government and Kentucky League of Cities through programming provided at the SOAR Summit.
The SOAR Summit, Appalachia’s premier event, is set for October 19-20, in Pikeville at the Appalachian Wireless Arena. The event is presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Here’s a breakdown of the training hours available:
- 11 hours by the Department for Local Government.
- 10 external hours by the Kentucky League of Cities.
New to this year’s Summit is various focus areas featuring workshops and subject-matter experts. This includes two days of programming for elected officials related to Community Planning for Broadband Deployment in Kentucky.
Sessions over the two days include:
- Broadband Data: How to Find It and How to Use it
- Forming Community Broadband Boards
- Feasibility Studies and Broadband Mapping Data
- Prioritizing Broadband Projects in your Community
- Broadband Funding Sources
- How to write a Broadband Grant
- Broadband Public-Private Partnerships & Legal Considerations
- Communicating Community Broadband Plans Effectively
- What is Digital Equity and why does it matter
- Alternative Financing Options
Other focus areas of programming and workshops will be built around sectors such as:
- Small Business Development
- Downtown Revitalization
- Local Foods
- Healthy Communities
- Workforce
Registration is all-inclusive and includes:
- Two full days of programming
- The SOAR Summit Reception
- Breakfast and lunch on both days
For more information, contact Joshua Ball at joshua@soar-ky.org.