Extension Agents are informed community leaders and can add value to planning efforts on a wide range of diverse topics. The active community involvement of Extension Agents, coupled with ongoing Extension volunteer development and leadership programs, help communities to increase capacity to address challenges and to develop community assets. Extension adds value and helps to maximize the positive impact of public and private available resources.  

In 2019, as part of an on-going community strategic planning initiative led by Extension Staff, the Burkesville/Cumberland County Industrial Authority, Cumberland County Fiscal Court, and the Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce worked together with a professional consultant to develop a community brand and identity. The goal was to improve the visual presence of "Burkesville" "Marrowbone" and "Cumberland County" to support local tourism and economic and community development efforts. 

The ongoing planning efforts led by Extension Staff have resulted in a repository of high quality photos, videos, and professional logos needed for community branding and marketing. In June of 2021, the Burkesville/Cumberland County Industrial Authority in partnership with the Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, and the Cumberland County Tourism Commission finalized a plan to continue joint marketing and communication efforts. The groups contracted with a national economic development firm and created a comprehensive community website. The new website serves as an online portal to the Cumberland County community. It provides information to the public about local food, lodging, events, programs, and activities plus links to local businesses and organizations. It also includes information about current community and economic development projects, community data profiles developed by CEDIK at the University of Kentucky, and available property for industry development. Essentially, the website will serve as an information source for everything Cumberland County and helps the partnering agencies pool resources and eliminating duplication of efforts. Additionally, the fore-mentioned group have partnered to open a new welcome center on the Square in Burkesville for people who want to live, work, or visit Burkesville and Cumberland County.