ELI students create a personalized sign during a tour of Somerset Wood Products.

Members of the 2013 Class of Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) took a break from writing their business plans on Wednesday to tour Somerset Wood Products Inc. and see how a local manufacturing plant turns raw materials into quality hardwood flooring.

Participants were given a guided tour of the facility and even got to show off their handiwork creating a personalized sign from a piece of wood.

Thirty high school students from 16 Southern and Eastern Kentucky counties are at The Center for Rural Development this week for the latest session of ELI, a youth leadership program for future business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Click here to follow ELI participants on The Center’s Youth Programs Facebook page.

[flickrset id=”72157634111036208″ thumbnail=”square” photos=”18″ overlay=”true” size=”square”]