“Pennyrile Future” Action Plan: The Region’s New Workforce and Economic Development Strategy Revealed

(HOPKINSVILLE, KY) – The West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (WKWIB) and the Pennyrile Area Development District (PADD) held an open community forum on April 19, 2011, to present and discuss the “Pennyrile Future” Action Plan: The Region’s New Workforce and Economic Development Strategy.

The new strategies were discussed in detail with over 70 civic, business, education, and community leaders from throughout the Pennyrile region.

The priority goals of the plan centered around advancing the region’s educational and workforce development resources, fostering entrepreneurship, promoting targeted industries, and regional marketing collaboration.

In addition, a new online economic analysis tool called the “Pennyrile Headlight” was unveiled. This website allows citizens, businesses, and policy makers to create their own custom data charts “on demand” for any county, industry, occupation, and time period. Detailed information and suggested implementation can be found at www.pennyrilefuture.com and www.PennyrileHeadlight.com.

The Pennyrile Region of western Kentucky received a Regional Innovation Grant from the US Department of Labor and funds from the US Economic Development Administration to finance this endeavor.

For more information, or if you would like to work with a specific target sector group, please contact either Sheila Clark (Sheila.clark@ky.gov) of the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board or Chris Sutton (chris.sutton@ky.gov) of the Pennyrile Area Development District. Both can be reached at 270-886-9484.


STRATEGIC PLANNING - REGIONAL INNOVATION GRANT

The West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board received funding from the U.S. Department of Labor through two Regional Innovation Grants with the purpose of developing a regional strategic plan encompassing the gamut of the various local economies including education, economic development and workforce elements within the Pennyrile region, including the Clarksville-Montgomery County Tennessee area.

In addition, the Pennyrile Area Development District received funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce/Economic Development Administration to support the development and implementation of identified economic strategies resulting from the Regional Innovation Grant activities.

The available funds have allowed the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, in conjunction with the Pennyrile Area Development District, to retain the assistance of Avalanche Consulting, Inc. and the Council for adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to conduct a multi-faceted, in-depth analysis of the region and craft a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure long-term growth and prosperity.

The overall process includes a complex array of regional activities under the guidance of an appointed leadership team comprised of individuals representing business/industry, education, economic development, local elected officials, workforce, and other community leaders. These activities consist of multiple informational sessions and interviews with stakeholders in communities located throughout the region, the collection of demographic data and labor market data, and in-depth reviews and identification of emerging sectors within the region.

To date, the information collected includes reports related to:

• Workforce Conditions
• Educational Infrastructure
• Sector Analysis
• Target Selection & Target Profiles

This detailed information will position the Pennyrile region to be more proactive and competitive in the global economy by meeting the demands of business and industry and by improving the quality of life for all our citizens with increased job opportunities at high wage levels.
You may access additional information about the respective Regional Innovation Grants at:

• www.pennyrilefuture.com
• www.purchasefuture.org