Where will Eastern Kentucky’s next generation of economic growth come from?
There won’t be one answer.
Some of it will come from attracting new investment. But significant opportunities also exist in the businesses already operating in our communities, the entrepreneurs building something new, and the emerging technologies changing how organizations work.
At the SOAR Summit, presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission, three FOCUS Breakout Sessions will bring those opportunities together through two themes: Growing the Economy and Preparing for Tomorrow.
The goal isn’t simply to talk about what’s coming next. It’s to bring people together to explore practical ideas, learn from what’s already working, and make connections that can help move businesses and communities forward.
Growing the Economy
Economic development is often associated with recruiting the next employer.
Recruitment matters. But what if one of the biggest opportunities for growth is already in our communities?
Our Growing the Economy FOCUS sessions will examine what happens when communities intentionally invest in existing businesses and local entrepreneurs.
Beyond Recruitment: Growing Businesses From Within
The businesses already operating in Eastern Kentucky employ our neighbors, contribute to our communities, and have the potential to create even more opportunity.
Helping those businesses grow requires more than one organization or program. Economic developers, financial institutions, educators, local leaders, and business support organizations can all play a role in helping companies overcome barriers, innovate, expand, and create quality jobs.
Beyond Recruitment: Growing Businesses From Within will explore what that support can look like in practice.
Attendees will hear examples of communities investing in the businesses they already have and explore strategies that can help create an environment where local companies have the resources and relationships they need to grow.
It’s a different way of thinking about economic development: don’t only ask who’s coming next. Ask who is already here and ready to grow.
Moderator: Robin Gabbard | President | Mountain Association
Panelists
Brett Traver | Executive Director | Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation
Jacob Hannah | CEO | Coalfield Development
Rodney Kuhl | Southeastern Kentucky Center Director | Kentucky SBDC
Danna Barnett | Director of Entrepreneurship | SOAR
1CC Launch + Leap: What Happens When a County Invests in Its Own People
Sometimes the next business that changes a community starts with someone who already calls that community home.
But having an idea and building a sustainable business are two very different things.
Entrepreneurs need coaching, connections, access to resources, and people willing to invest in their potential.
1CC Launch + Leap: What Happens When a County Invests in Its Own People will take attendees inside a real Eastern Kentucky example.
One Clay County and SOAR Innovation partnered to create a county-based accelerator designed to give local entrepreneurs coaching, funding, and support to start and grow businesses.
This session will go beyond celebrating the results.
Attendees will hear what worked, what was learned along the way, what could be done differently, and how other communities can begin thinking about building entrepreneurship pipelines of their own.
The bigger question is one every community can consider:
What could happen if we intentionally invested in the people who already have ideas for what’s next?
Preparing for Tomorrow
Growing today’s economy is only part of the challenge.
Communities and organizations also have to prepare for how work is changing.
Few technologies have accelerated that conversation faster than artificial intelligence.
Beyond the Tool: AI as a Strategic Collaborator for Community Leadership
AI is often discussed in terms of tools, automation, and productivity.
This FOCUS session will ask a different question:
How can we use AI to become better leaders and make better decisions?
Beyond the Tool: AI as a Strategic Collaborator for Community Leadership will explore practical ways leaders can use AI to strengthen planning, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration while keeping human judgment at the center.
This isn’t about replacing people.
It’s about understanding how an emerging technology can help people work differently.
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, ready-to-use prompts, and ideas they can begin applying within their businesses, organizations, and communities.
Presenter: Dr. Nathan Hamblin | Dean of the School of Leadership | University of the Cumberlands
Grow What We Have. Build What’s Next.
Taken together, these three conversations tell an important story about Eastern Kentucky’s economic future.
We can support businesses that are ready to grow.
We can invest in entrepreneurs with ideas worth pursuing.
And we can equip leaders with new tools to help their organizations adapt and compete.
But none of that work happens in isolation.
It happens through relationships, partnerships, shared ideas, and people willing to work together.
That’s why the value of the Summit extends well beyond any single FOCUS session.
Make the Connection at the Summit
You might come to learn how another community supports its existing businesses and meet someone who becomes a future partner.
You might hear how Clay County approached entrepreneurship and leave thinking differently about what’s possible in your own community.
You might walk into the AI session looking for a few practical tools and leave with an entirely new way of approaching a challenge at work.
And between those conversations, you’ll be surrounded by people from across Eastern Kentucky and beyond who are building businesses, developing communities, supporting entrepreneurs, investing in ideas, and creating opportunities.
The Summit gives you the chance to expand your network, exchange ideas with people doing similar work, and build relationships that continue after everyone goes home.
You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the EKY Experience, presented by Appalachian Regional Healthcare, and connect with businesses, organizations, entrepreneurs, initiatives, and partners working across the region.
That’s what makes being in the room valuable.
Come looking for an idea. Leave with new connections, potential partnerships, and momentum for what comes next.
Be Part of the Conversation and Save $25
If you’re building a business, supporting entrepreneurs, developing your community, leading an organization, or simply invested in Eastern Kentucky’s economic future, these are conversations worth being part of.
And we’re offering a special registration discount through our FOCUS Breakout Sessions campaign.
Register for the SOAR Summit and use promo code FOCUS to save $25 on your registration.
Grow what we have. Build what’s next. And be part of the conversation.