ACTC Establishes Community and Economic Development Center

In response to current economic conditions, Ashland Community and Technical College, in partnership with business and governmental organizations, has created a Community and Economic Development Center (CEDC). The CEDC, located at the colleges Roberts Drive Campus, is designed to support the regions many economic development efforts.

In my short time in Ashland, it has become very apparent that the region has a can do attitude, and wants to work together to support and retain the current businesses, as well as actively recruit new businesses to the area, said ACTC President, Kay Adkins. This center demonstrates our commitment to working towards that goal.

The center is planned to serve as a regular designated meeting place for the regions economic development officials and has temporary office and meeting space for the partners, as well as ample room to grow as the partnership list expands

The center also houses ACTCs Entrepreneur Center, which serves as an incubator for small businesses, and a satellite office of the KY Innovation Network which serves as a business accelerator charged with developing Eastern Kentuckys economy through the creation of knowledge-based businesses.

"ACTC plays the lead role in helping people transition into lucrative careers by providing quality education and training opportunities, said Chris Pullem, Economic Development Director for the City of Ashland. With the addition of the new Community and Economic Development Center, ACTC is exhibiting the same level of commitment to providing assistance to our local businesses and entrepreneurs. This is a clear indicator of ACTC's commitment to growing our local economy. The City of Ashland is very proud partner of ACTC."

Partners of the center include: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ashland Alliance, the KY Innovation Network, Morehead State Universitys Small Business Development Center, and Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation.

According to Bill Hannah, President of the Ashland Alliance, The CEDC, enables us to have a "war room" that serves a multitude of purposes as a resource space, a work space, and a presentation space. As a long-standing partner with the Alliance in economic development, ACTC's commitment to our region continues to take shape in imaginative but necessary ways. The CEDC, along with the Innovation Center and the Entrepreneur Center, places valuable assets all in one place. This effort will serve as a dynamic venue for many successes in the future.

The CEDC invites all interested members of the community to attend a business-after-hours event on Thursday, February 21, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to explore what the center has to offer.

For more information about the Community and Economic Development Center, contact Dr. Larry Ferguson at 606.326.2232 or larry.ferguson@kctcs.edu. Dr. Ferguson is ACTCs Dean of Community, Workforce and Economic Development.