Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute: Expansion Into South-Central Kentucky

This project is an extension of the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute (KECI) that was begun in 2005 in 19 Northeastern Kentucky Counties. Because of the overwhelming success of that effort, this proposal is to extend that effort to 22 additional tobacco dependent counties in South-Central Kentucky. The primary objective is to encourage the development of new business ideas and ventures in 22 tobacco dependent counties including Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Green, Hart, Laurel, Marion, Metcalfe, Monroe, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, Warren, Washington and Wayne. Developing new businesses (and expanding existing ones) will be achieved, in part, by identifying and training 60 leaders from the region who are willing to work with aspiring and current entrepreneurs and leaders in the region. Based on the KECI experience in 19 Northeastern Kentucky counties, it is expected that these 60 leaders will in turn reach out to more than 3,000 others over the project.