Page 10 | Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce | 2022 Membership Directory
The Corbin Center includes a wide variety of options for various events , including corporate business meetings , weddings , receptions , both private and corporate parties , as well as birthday parties , anniversary parties and baby showers . From large events to small , The Corbin Center has the right space for any type of event . Constructed in 2005 , The Corbin Center was built through a joint partnership between the City of Corbin and Eastern Kentucky University for the purpose of offering classes and trainings for students and staff of Eastern Kentucky University .
Following the construction of EKU ’ s Corbin campus on the Corbin Bypass , management of the facility was passed to the Corbin Independent School District , until 2019 , when the City of Corbin contacted the Corbin Industrial Development Commission Executive Director Bruce Carpenter to inquire whether the Corbin Industrial Development Commission and Carpenter would be willing to assume management of the facility . “ I was approached about the possibility of managing the facility in 2019 . I immediately put together a proposal for the City of Corbin ’ s consideration and that proposal was approved by the city . The Corbin Industrial Development Commission board of directors agreed to assume responsibility for the building ,” Carpenter related , “ and we began preparations for managing The Corbin Center , taking over in October 2019 .” And then COVID-19 emerged . “ It has been and continues to be a little slower than we anticipated ,” Carpenter said . “ We do get peaks when the virus dissipates , and we will get a little busier . We are still booking and holding events , but I am excited about the potential of this building once we get through the worst of COVID-19 .” But the emergence of COVID-19 did not stop the Corbin Industrial Development Commission from immediately getting to work on much-needed renovations , both on the building and the brand , including a new website and marketing materials . “ The COVID-19 shutdown actually gave us the opportunity to get our administrative staff and materials in place , the staff even painted the majority of the rooms here at The Corbin Center ,” said Corbin Industrial Development Commission Executive Assistant Stephanie Giles-Hussey . “ And despite the extended shutdown , the number of events booked each year exceeds the previous year ’ s bookings .” With events starting to pick back up , and with the support of the City of Corbin , the Corbin Industrial Development Commission is hoping to make im- Continued page 12