Barren County CES

Title:

Community Enhancement and Positive Employability

MAP:

Community and Economic Development

Agents Involved:

Tarry, Schalk, Crain

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Economic Development

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Community Leadership Development

Situation:

Barren County has a low per capita income. 23% of the Barren County population is in poverty compared to 18% statewide (CEDIK County Profile 2019). The loss of industry jobs, higher ‘breadwinner’ wages, benefit packages, and decreasing farm income - coupled with the instability of new start-up businesses, and higher living costs - all threaten the county’s tax base foundation and overall family economic security. There is a need to assist small businesses, farm families, and community members with training to remain economically viable. Attractions are plenty including, Mammoth Cave and Barren River Lake, and tourism in Barren County has potential for growth. Our clientele feels it is important for Cooperative Extension to address and facilitate community and economic development, especially in the areas of bringing more jobs paying good wages with benefits, increased support for small businesses, and more qualified employees for existing or new jobs. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

Barren County will be a healthy, active, safe, and economically sustainable community built on its natural and human assets. Residents will find employment, consumer, residential and recreational choices that reflect their needs and interest, while visitors will come for the natural resources based amenities and small-town history and culture. Additional long term outcomes include: 

• policy changes to support economic development
• a diversified economy that sustains a healthy community
• job creation that doesn't rely on tax incentives
• improved and diversified tax base
• an experienced and ready workforce population
• sustained entrepreneurship and small business profitability 
• an increase in entrepreneurship and small business profitability. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Healthy networks and coalitions are strengthened through training, education, and increased community engagement. Increased knowledge and utilization of local health services by rural residents. Additional intermediate outcomes include:

• community is better informed and leaders can identify policies that better support local economic development
• local policymakers encourage small business development
• businesses implement strategies identified through strategic planning
• individuals successfully use positive employability skills
• implementation of tourism and community marketing initiatives to increase visitor and customer traffic for potential sales.
  
  

Initial Outcomes:

An increase in community member and coalition awareness of opportunities and challenges working with new and established health networks in Barren County and beyond. Additional intermediate outcomes include:

• increased awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship and small business development
• increased knowledge of processes necessary for entrepreneurial development
• increased awareness of local food system & economic gardening opportunities
• agents will have a better understanding of their local economy
• increased knowledge for tourism development opportunities
• businesses can identify new markets
• communities can identify factors to improve their local economic condition
• individuals will demonstrate an increased understanding of and intend to use positive employability skills including: strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills, professional dress, utilizing listening cues, soft skills, electronic communication practices, and networking for success.
  
  

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: An increase in community member and coalition awareness of opportunities and challenges working with new and established health networks in Barren County and South Central Kentucky.

Indicator: Community forums, listening sessions, number of new coalition members, and number of new formal collaborations created.

Method: Coalition/Council facilitation, board/council participation, 

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Intermediate Outcome: An Increase in community members' involvement within the health coalition and an increase in new members.

Indicator: Health networks and coalitions are strengthened through training, education, and increased community engagement. Increased knowledge and utilization of local health services by rural residents.

Method: Observation, group discussion, surveys

Timeline: After the implementation of programs and throughout the year

Intermediate Outcome: Barren County working adults will demonstrate increased employability skills including communication, networking, and others. 

Indicator: Employability skills strengthened through training and education; the use of skills leads to employment.

Method: Observation, group discussion, surveys

Timeline: After the implementation of programs and throughout the year

Intermediate Outcome: Increased profits for small businesses, small farmers, and farmers' markets.  

Indicator: Marketing efforts are successful; small businesses report increased sales and profits. 

Method: Business reports, Observation, group discussion, surveys

Timeline:  After the implementation of programs and throughout the year

Long-term Outcome: Barren County will be a healthy, active, safe, and economically sustainable community built on its natural and human assets. 

Indicator: Increased Food, Agriculture, and Agri-tourism based businesses and organizations in the county that provide job opportunities and economic growth for Barren County.

Method: Visual Observation, Chamber of Commerce Reports

Timeline: Ongoing, following related efforts.

Long-term Outcome: Extension Coalitions, Councils and community partners will support community development and enhancement via sustainable programs and efforts.  

Indicator:  FCS Advisory Council/Healthy Barren County Coalition will be actively involved and sustainable.

Method: Observation, group discussions, surveys, Chamber Reports

Timeline: Ongoing, following community development efforts.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public, Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Project or Activity: Extension Programming

Content or Curriculum: Opportunities in Agri-tourism & Agri-business

Inputs:  Extension Programming, Publications, CEDIK, KDA, Chamber of Commerce, KY GOAP, County Ag Development Council

Date: Ongoing 

Audience: Barren County Public 

Project or Activity: Community Development Programs

Content or Curriculum: Developing and Executing Community Development Plans

Inputs: CEDIK, Agents, Specialist, Pubs

Date: 1-2 years

Audience: Family and Consumer Advisory Council/Healthy Barren County Coalition

Project or Activity: Facilitation and training

Content or Curriculum: KELD and Systems Policy’s and Environment

Inputs: CEDIK, agents, specialist, UK publications

Date: Ongoing

Success Stories