Author: Melissa Bond
Planning Unit: Community & Economic Development (CEDIK)
Major Program: Community Design/Creative Placemaking
Outcome: Initial Outcome
of Pike County. Bill Williams Heritage Blues Festival in Greenup County generated $6,350. River Fog Festival in Williamsburg generated $10,000 in financial support, with nearly $7,000 paid directly to local musicians, artisans or local foods vendors. By focusing tourism efforts in small, rural communities, these dollars have a significant impact locally.
As part of a comprehensive, regional approach to economic development in Southeast Kentucky, Arts Extension specialists focused their efforts intensely on
a 12 county region. This program supports local businesses through organized regional marketing campaigns, connecting artisans in southeast Kentucky to buyers in metropolitan areas, and individualized training on logo design, social media, pricing, and labeling, In 2018, 21 southeastern Kentucky businesses have received direct support to expand their businesses through new/secondary locations, increased marketing footprints, or through online sales.