One Voice for Region, takeaway for WKCTC's First Regional Economic Development Symposium

Second part of college's economic development growth initiative

Paducah, KY (04/19/2019) — Working together and speaking with a unified voice to build economic development opportunities and relationships within western Kentucky, and the role of education in achieving that goal, was a key takeaway from West Kentucky Community and Technical College's first Regional Economic Development Symposium April 18.

"Regionalism is the answer to being competitive," said keynote speaker Bob Quick, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington, Inc. Sharing economic development best practices in central Kentucky through regional partnerships with Lexington's chamber of commerce, Quick said "conversations lead to relationships; relationships lead to trust."

More than 100 officials, legislators, educators, and community and business leaders from across the region attended the "think tank" symposium. The event was WKCTC's second part of a two-part initiative to compliment not only Paducah/McCracken County's economic development efforts, but also those of southern Illinois and the 10-county Kentucky service region WKCTC serves. Many who attended the symposium were also part of the initial step in the initiative, a bus trip last month to the Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C. area to learn about the significant economic growth the region has experienced.

The bus trip and today's symposium exceeded expectations for what can be learned for future economic development growth, said WKCTC President Anton Reece.

"The West Kentucky region is at a tipping point. We are one or two degrees away from next level collective economic and workforce excellence," Reece said. "Unfinished business of regional collaboration and economic success is what brought me back to Paducah."

Addressing the symposium crowd, Congressman (R-KY) James Comer said, Paducah is the economic engine of the region and WKCTC is doing everything right with training and to improve workforce development for the next generation.

"What's encouraging to me when I come Paducah to talk about economic development, I see surrounding counties' judges; I see the surrounding mayors. Thank you for working together...it's a team effort in Paducah and this region has had great successes in the past and the future is very bright," he said.

Several panel discussions were held throughout the day including comments from legislators on the importance of bringing more state and international trade to the region. The group that went on the Greenville road trip also shared what they learned and ways to incorporate the new ideas into the local workforce.

Attendees chose from a variety of break-out sessions, including a presentation by Danny Murphy, assistant dean of community engagement & diversity at the University of Kentucky, who discussed how being fully committed to diversity is crucial to economic development. A discussion with a 20-40-year-old group also shared comments about what's needed to retain current young professionals and bring new talent into the region.

"When I ask people what they want to see in this community from a young professional standpoint, you hear thing like better activities after hours, downtown being open later - quality of life opportunities. But they also recognize that the job is what is going to make the difference," said Matt Snow, Baptist Heath Paducah executive director of facilities and a member of Paducah Young Professionals. "I think we work better as a region, and we'll have more attraction to the area."

A challenge discussed throughout the symposium was the need for a skilled workforce for business and industry. Quick said WKCTC and the region's economic development partners are on the right track to meet that need.

"You have all the ingredients here to be an incredible region," said Quick. "Start with the end in mind and work backward to build a plan...keep evolving. This is not the start but a continuation to that path of success."

For more information about the symposium and workforce development opportunities through WKCTC Workforce Solutions, contact Kevin O'Neill, WKCTC vice president of regional workforce training and economic development and symposium coordinator at kevin.oneill@kctcs.edu or 270-534-3206.

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