Create Bridges

Create Bridges is a 3 year program for multi-county regions to develop their retail and hospitality industries. Kentucky is fortunate to be one of 3 states to participate in the pilot of this program. The project brings an innovative approach to addressing business and workforce development at no cost to the region, thanks to a Walmart grant.

The Create Bridges initiative was launched to develop and test a process to promote and strengthen these industries, particularly in rural areas. The process is designed to:

1. Raise awareness of the role these important businesses play in the local economy;
2. Determine challenges and barriers negatively impacting those businesses; and
3. Develop and implement strategies to strengthen the retail, accommodations, tourism, and entertainment sectors within a region. 

Process

Create Bridges is a three year pilot. The steps include:

1. Form a regional steering committee
2. Conduct an asset map of CREATE businesses and existing training programs
3. Host a Create Bridges forum
4. Convene a retail academy
        a. Workforce development
        b. Business retention and expansion program
        c. Employee engagement
5. Develop new strategies and actions appropriate for region based on data collected during Steps 2-4 (As of January 2021, we are here)
   

Kentucky Region Participating in Pilot

FOCUS (Five Original Counties United for Success) Region - Jackson, Clay, Lee, Owsley, and Leslie Counties. April Renner from Jackson Energy Cooperative serves as the Chairperson.

Pilot Program Successes

Regional Youth Help Desk Handout - background and successes
  
Examples of social media created by students: