The Center for Rural Development is now accepting applications for the 2019 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute summer youth leadership program. If you would like to be a part of this exciting program, like these 2018 ELI Alumni, from left Caitlyn Patterson, Cumberland County; and Madison Webb, Lawrence County; go to www.centeryouthprograms.com and fill out an online application. The deadline to apply is April 2, 2019.
The Center for Rural Development is now accepting applications for the 2019 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI).
The Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute’s purpose is to develop future business leaders and entrepreneurs in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. High school freshmen, sophomores and juniors from throughout The Center’s 45-county service area are encouraged to apply.
ELI is an intensive, weeklong program focused on developing creativity, teamwork, business and leadership skills. The Institute is developed, coordinated and supervised by The Center for Rural Development. All lodging, meals, and program expenses (with the exception of transportation to and from the program) are offered at no cost to the student.
“Many of these students will utilize the skills they learn during the week at ELI to become the region’s next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs,” Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center, said.
Activities during the week are both educational and fun. Participants will be divided into teams. The weeklong Institute includes classroom instruction, guest speakers, competitions and tours of local businesses. The concluding event will be a team business concept competition and the chance to compete for a college scholarship.
“ELI gave me the fundamental, basic knowledge on how to be a successful entrepreneur,” said 2016 ELI alumni Grace Sink.
“This was a great learning experience of how a business would work and how a simple idea can turn into a large company. The ELI program helped me to learn how to be a team player and work with others to accomplish a goal,” added 2016 ELI Alumni Colton Morrow.
The 2019 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute will take place Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset. A total of 20 students from The Center’s 45-county service area will be selected for the program in 2019.
To be eligible to apply, the student must:
- Be a high school freshman, sophomore or junior at a high school located within the 45-county service area of The Center for Rural Development. The forty-five county service area consists of the following Kentucky counties: Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Harlan, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Taylor, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.
- Have a demonstrated interest in business, leadership and entrepreneurship.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4 point scale).
To apply for the 2019 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, visit www.centeryouthprograms.com. The deadline to submit the online application and supporting documents is 8 a.m. on April 2, 2019.
For more information or questions about the online application process, call Allison Cross at 606-677-6000 or email across@centertech.com.
