InTouch with Southern Kentucky April 2020 | Page 8

CALEB LOWNDES I CJ
The Center for Rural Development recently hosted the International Dinner.
“It’s a national program that sup-
plies training and prepares individ-
uals in rural settings for any unex-
pected issues that arise, whether
it’s homeland security problems,
natural disasters, or instances
like we are facing now with the
COVID-19 emergency,” Lawson said.
Lawson said that the Center also
promotes a culture of creativity and
personal expression throughout the
region.
“The Center is a hub of activity,
hosting performing artists, con-
certs, and events that enrich, enter-
tain, and inspire the imagination,”
he said.
Country-music legends like Merle
Haggard and Percy Sledge have ap-
peared in concert at the Center, and
more artists are added all the time.
Additionally, the Center empowers
students, adults, cities, and counties
with the tools to succeed through
several leadership programs like the
Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers,
and the Entrepreneurial Leadership
8 • I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky 
Institute.
Lawson said that the goal is to
prepare young people with the skills
they will need in the workforce and
help create jobs that will ensure a
better quality of life.
The Business & Community Train-
ing Center and The Developing and
Implementing Community Strategies
Program provide individuals, busi-
nesses, organizations, and entre-
preneurs the job skills they need to
positively impact the economy of
their region, state, and ultimately,
the nation.
One of the biggest undertakings
in the technological field has been
the KentuckyWired Project, which
Lawson said has been a “major fo-
cus” since it was conceived of at the
Center in 2012.
KentuckyWired is a statewide fiber
optic network which will deliver af-
fordable, high-capacity, high-speed
broadband access to communities
throughout the Commonwealth, and
is the first state in the nation of its
kind.
The network is a “middle mile”
project connecting government
offices, universities, community
colleges, state police posts, state
parks, and other government insti-
tutions to the global internet.
The Cabinet for Health and Family
Services office in Owenton was the
first site to transition over to Ken-
tuckyWired, followed by the Child
Support office in Cynthiana, General
Butler State Park near Carrollton,
and Kentucky State Police Post #6 in
Dry Ridge.
Over 900 state government sites
will begin connecting to the Ken-
tuckyWired network in the coming
weeks and months.
Here in Somerset, the Center also
offers full service, professional
event management focused on plan-
ning, development, logistics and
on-site support services.
There is a state-of-the-art meeting
and convention facility with over
35,000 square feet of flexible event
M arch 2020