Extension
It Starts With Us
Enhancing Business Profitability
Promoting Community Economic Development
Adam Huber, Anna Meador, Kelly Burgess
Business Retention and Expansion
Community Strategic Planning
Agritourism Planning
Economic Development
The Allen county economic climate continues to face critical challenges with an increased emphasis on small business development and entrepreneurship. J. M. Smucker LLC, Dollar General, Halton and Sumitomo continue to add jobs, but face issues with an unskilled labor pool. 74.0% of residents aged 25 or older have a high school diploma but only 10.9% having a bachelor’s degree.
Allen County's 2014 unemployment rate stands at 6.5%, compared with the KY rate of 5.9%. Entrepreneurship and self-employment businesses account for 81% of all businesses in Allen County with the employment in these businesses increasing from 35% of jobs to 39% from 2001 to 2011. Small businesses with less than 20 employees constitute 96% of all businesses and employ 23% of all employees in Allen County. Farm income continues to diversify, with 89% of farms having sales of less than $50,000. Allen County had a 20% loss in total jobs during 2002-2012. 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.
* *Entrepreneurship & small business profitability will increase due to Main Street Program, Chamber of Commerce and other economic development partnership initiatives.
* Dugas Community Park Phase One & Farmer's Market complex will be completed in phases to provide access to local foods and attractive enticement for relocating or newly established businesses.
*City of Scottsville, County of Allen, local foundations, Heart of Scottsville, and local businesses practice funding support for economic development initiatives
*Chamber of Commerce, agritourism enterprises, regional leadership networks, Heart of Scottsville, city/county government implement tourism and community marketing initiatives to increase visitor and customer traffic for potential sales
* Dugas Park Development Committees will initiate campaigns to build community support and acquire necessary funding for Dugas Community Park local foods access projects.
* City of Scottsville and Heart of Scottsville Steering Committee will increase knowledge of processes necessary for entrepreneurial development.
* Clientele, Business, Park and Historic Development Committees will increase awareness of local foods system & economic gardening opportunities.
*Clientele, Chamber of Commerce and governmental entities will increase knowledge for tourism development opportunities
Initial Outcome: Number of individuals increasing knowledge of entrepreneurship opportunities related to economic gardening and downtown business
Indicator: farmer's market conferences, Downtown Business Workshops; Entrepreneurship Coaches conferences
Method: focus group studies, workshop surveys; coaching activities completed
Timeline: July, 2019-June, 2020
Audience: Agritourism Enterprise Owners
Activity: Cave Region Agritourism marketing education/State Agritourism Association Advisory Council
Content or Curriculum: Development and implementation of state & regional agritourism mass media, social media marketing education; coordination with regional/state marketing initiatives, marketing workshops, brochure enhancements.
Inputs: volunteer resources, agency funding, marketing education resources
Date: July 2019 – June 2020
Audience: Small Business Owners, Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Scottsville, city/county government, Army Corp of Engineers, Barren River State Park
Activity: Community Tourism marketing campaign promotions
Content or Curriculum: County tourism campaign elements, State Tourism matching funds incentive program; Main Street promotional campaign; State Fair Pride of Counties marketing event, Friends or Barren River educational programs
Inputs: federal & state agency funding, city/county government funding, support resources, business resources, foundation funding
Date: July 2019 – June 2020
Audience: Community Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Scottsville, city/county government, arts organizations, retail businesses
Content or Curriculum: small business skill curriculum; marketing resources
Activity: Seasonal Downtown Festivals & Events – Jacksonian Days, summer Farmer's Market events; Invasion of the Scarecrows, winter Festival, Farm to Table local foods events ; Barren River Lake environmental education and tourism events
Inputs: regional tourism marketing resources, local funding, Barren River Lake Corps & State Park resources
Date: July – 2019 – June 2020
Audience: High School Youth
Activity: American Private Enterprise, Kentucky Youth Seminar, National Institute of Cooperative Education
Content or Curriculum: APES Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, Volunteers, School System
Date: July-June
Audience:8th grade youth
Activity:4-H Reality Store
Content or Curriculum:Reality Store Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, Volunteers, School System
Date: March
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Allen County is very diverse in its agriculture production. According to the 2017 agriculture census, Allen County is ranked #1 in the state for vegetable production as well as #1 in cattle production in terms of dollars sold. To say the least, we are a very agriculture dependent county. In response to the large production of agriculture that Allen County has to offer with the help of the agriculture council members, stakeholders and the Allen County Extension Agent for Agriculture a very s
Author: Kelly Burgess
Major Program: Food Preparation
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service’s recent Community Assessment identified sustainability of family farms, increased support for small businesses, and better skills for selecting and preparing healthy food as top priorities in Allen County. The Allen County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent partnered with Allen County Beekeepers Association to present “Cooking with Honey- Incorporating Honey into Every Aspect of Your Meal” at both an Allen
