U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), and Governor Matt Bevin were among the speakers at the 2016 SOAR Innovation Summit, which attracted over 1,000 attendees and more than 140 innovators.
Innovators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and elected officials from across the state gathered in Pikeville on Monday for the 3rd annual SOAR Innovation Summit, which focused on areas such as leadership development and broadband expansion.
U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), and Governor Matt Bevin were among the speakers at the event which attracted over 1,000 attendees and featured an innovation showcase with more than 140 innovators.
“They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Well, we are here to invent,” said Congressman Rogers. “Less than 4,000 coal miners are now employed in eastern Kentucky, so the need for innovation has never been greater. SOAR gives us a chance at this crossroads in time to redouble our efforts and inspire new opportunities for job creation and a better way of life.”
The Center for Rural Development was among the exhibitors at the summit. The Center is partnering with the Commonwealth on the KentuckyWired project, which will bring high speed, high capacity broadband Internet to Eastern Kentucky.
“Improving the access and affordability of broadband service will have the greatest impact in Eastern Kentucky,” said Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center. “The SOAR summit allowed a lot of the key players in Kentucky’s broadband expansion to come together and share ideas.”
The Center also showcased the Displaced Coal Miner Training Program (DCMT), which provides free job training to former coal employees from qualifying counties. The DCMT program allows former coal workers to receive training and education for jobs outside the coal industry.
The Center for Rural Development was represented at the Summit. Center President and CEO Lonnie Lawson spoke to attendees about the different services The Center offers including an upcoming broadband expansion and training opportunities for displaced coal mine employees in Eastern Kentucky
Areas of innovation included regional food systems, industrial development, Kentucky’s Appalachia: Becoming a Destination, Entrepreneurship in the Digital Economy, Energy and Natural Resources, Broadband Expansion, Healthy Communities, and 21st Century Skills and Leadership Development.
To learn more about the DCMT program, visit dcmt.centertech.com.centertech.com. To find out about The Center’s efforts in eastern Kentucky, visit centertech.com.
A gallery of images from the event is available on our Flickr account.
Please see the event coverage by WYMT below. To learn more about SOAR visit soar-ky.org.
