Vivek Sarin, Interim Secretary, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development addressed Russell County business and industry leaders, county and city officials, and Russell County Industrial Development Authority (RCIDA) board members at a community forum on development and growth in the region. The Secretary discussed the work being done behind the scenes to promote Kentucky to the world stage and took comments, questions, and concerns from the group on local issues that state officials could address.

In addition to efforts to recruit new industries to Kentucky, Sarin emphasized the Cabinet's availability as a resource to help existing industries function and thrive. "Let us be the conduit, let us be the quarterback for whatever is in the way of your company being successful, whatever it is," said Sarin. "Our job is to take your issue and work with transportation, work with finance, work with workforce, work with whatever the entity is, we are the tip of the spear. It would be our pleasure to have your problem so that we can then go work across the different silos in state government, cut through the red tape and help you get the result you need."

Kirby Stephens of KSD Kinetic Strategic Design presented a sneak peek of the new RCIDA promotional video and website in development that will be launched in October.

Tamra Wilson, District Engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, District 8 gave a presentation of the study to rebrand the Cumberland Parkway. The idea behind rebranding the parkway stems from the differing definitions world-wide of the term "Parkway." While the Cumberland Parkway is a limited access, 4-lane highway capable of handling all forms of truck transport, some site selectors dismiss locations without the Interstate designation.

Sarah Roy, Principal of the Lake Cumberland Area Technology Center gave an update on the status of the Lake Cumberland Regional College and Workforce Center currently under construction in Russell Springs. The target opening date is less than 18 months.

The Cabinet for Economic Development sent a full team to this meeting including Sean Muldoon, Economic Development Executive, Jessica Burke, General Counsel, Office of Legal Services, Joe Lilly, Executive Director, Office of Marketing and Public Affairs, David Hamilton, Communications Specialist, and Beka Burton, Project Manager. 

The event was hosted by the RICDA and moderated by Bennie Garland, the board's Executive Director.

Vivek Sarin, Interim Secretary, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

Tamra Wilson, District Engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, District 8.

Sarah Roy, Principal of the Lake Cumberland Area Technology Center.