News
Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Another Successful Annual Awards Night
PIKEVILLE, KY (Sept. 25, 2023): The Southeast Kentucky Chamber hosted the Annual Awards Night 2023 on Thursday, September 21. This is the biggest celebration of the year for the members of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Awards were presented to businesses and individuals who made invaluable contributions to Eastern Kentucky over this past year. Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to the Governor of Kentucky, delivered the keynote address. This year’s Annual Awards Night was well attended, with more
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Katie Belt joins Chamber team as Programs and Media Manager
PIKEVILLE, KY (Sept. 13, 2023) The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Katie Belt has joined the organization as the Programs and Media Manager. In her new role, Katie will oversee event coordination and management of the Chamber’s web and social media presence. She will also aid members with their participation in chamber events, as well as assisting and training members with growing their social media accounts. “I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the
Patton Leadership Institute Class Immersed in Letcher County's Rich Heritage and Community Initiativ
Letcher County, May 16, 2023 – Patton Leadership Institute made an insightful visit to Letcher County on May 4, 2023. The class, comprising aspiring leaders from diverse backgrounds across east Kentucky, were exposed to the remarkable work being done by local organizations and individuals to promote tourism, preserve natural resources, and strengthen community ties. The class had the privilege of hearing from prominent community figures such as Missy Matthews, representing Letcher County Tourism,
Compassion Pediatrics of Pikeville Expands with New Location and Introduces Compassion Pediatrics Be
Pikeville, KY – June 2, 2023 - Compassion Pediatrics of Pikeville, a leading provider of pediatric healthcare services in the region, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its new location at 484 Tollage Creek, Pikeville, Ky. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 31, marking a significant milestone in the organization's growth and commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare for children. The expansion of Compassion Pediatrics of Pikeville represents a significant
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Grand Opening of TEK Center in Martin County
Inez, KY – June 5, 2023 – The TEK Center, a state-of-the-art education facility, held a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 2, 2023, to mark its official grand opening. The event took place at 104 E. Main St, Suite 100, Inez, KY 41224, and was attended by distinguished guests, community leaders, and supporters. The TEK Center is an innovative hub designed to provide individuals of all backgrounds with access to cutting-edge technology, and advanced educational programs. The ribbon cutting ceremony commenced at
Patton Leadership Inspires and Engages Lawrence County Community
Lawrence County, June 5, 2023 – On June 1, 2023, Patton Leadership Institute had an eventful day including a fascinating tour of the Big Sandy Power Plant, an engaging discussion on “The Power of Positive Leadership” with Casey and Sabrina Lequire, and insightful conversations with industry experts Catrina Cargo from Sullivan University Learning Center (Louisa) and Amanda Clark, External Affairs Manager at Kentucky Power Company. The day concluded with an unforgettable tour and tasting experience at Savage
Southeast Kentucky Chamber to Host Membership Meeting Featuring Michelle Spriggs with KYSBDC
Pikeville, KY June 5, 2023 - The Southeast Kentucky Chamber is pleased to announce its upcoming membership meeting, scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 20, 2023. This event will bring together members of the business community in Southeast Kentucky, offering a unique opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing, and valuable insights into the regional business landscape. The highlight of the membership meeting will be a special presentation by Michelle Spriggs of the Kentucky Small Business
Patton Leadership Institute Visits Johnson County for a Day of Exploration and Learning
Johnson County, KY (May 1, 2023) - Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) visited Johnson County for a day of exploration and learning. The group was led on a tour of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) technical classes including the new state-of-the-art Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs. They also visited the East Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute (eKAMI), Butcher Holler, and attended a workshop on the book The Power of Positive Leadership. The tour of the BSCTC Technical
Southeast Kentucky Chamber to hold Membership Meeting with Lee Balaklaw
Pikeville, KY (5/9/2023) - The Southeast Kentucky Chamber's June membership meeting with Lee Balaklaw, a strategic partner of Schooley Mitchell of Louisa, will take place June 6, 2023, at noon at the Garfield House in Pikeville. During the event, Lee Balaklaw will provide insights on the latest trends and best practices in the telecommunications industry and information on how Schooley Mitchell can help Southeast Kentucky Chamber members save money on their telecommunications expenses. This
Southeast Kentucky Chamber Hosts East Kentucky Regional Competition of the National Civics Bee
Pikeville, KY (April 27, 2023) - The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hosted the first-ever East Kentucky Regional Competition of the National Civics Bee on April 27, 2023, at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. The National Civics Bee is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and The Civic Trust, to encourage excellence in civics knowledge. Middle school students across 24 eastern Kentucky counties had the opportunity to participate in the East Kentucky Regional Competition
Treasured 100-Year-Old Building Re-Opens as Johnson’s Antiques
Pike County, KY – On April 15, 2023, the community of Pike County came together to celebrate the grand reopening of a treasured 100-year-old building in Wolfpit. The former general store has been transformed into Johnson’s Antiques, a new destination for antique collectors and history buffs. The grand reopening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and hot dog cookout that brought together residents, business owners, and community leaders. The ceremony symbolized hope and resilience for the community,
Southeast Kentucky Chamber Holds Membership Meeting with Jeff Noel, Secretary for the Cabinet of Economic Development
Pikeville, KY – April 13, 2023 - On Tuesday, April 4th, the Southeast Kentucky Chamber held its monthly membership meeting at the Garfield house in downtown Pikeville. The meeting featured guest speaker Jeff Noel, the Secretary for the Cabinet of Economic Development. The meeting was well attended by members of the Chamber, local economic development officials, and local business owners, who were eager to hear Noel speak about economic development in the region. Noel discussed the current state of the
Children's Clothing Boutique Under New Ownership
Pikeville, KY – April 4, 2023 – A popular children's clothing boutique in Downtown Pikeville has been acquired by a new owner who is excited to continue the tradition of providing high-quality, stylish clothing for children. The new owner is committed to building on the boutique's success and enhancing the shopping experience for customers. The Classy Stork recently celebrated their grand re-opening with the support of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pikeville. The Classy
Local Axe Throwing Venue Celebrates Ribbon Cutting and Soft Opening
Pikeville, KY – April 4, 2023 – 606 Lumberjacks celebrated their ribbon cutting ceremony with the support of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. 606 Lumberjacks is brand-new axe throwing venue located at 4115 North Mayo Trail in Coal Run. Axe throwing is an exciting and unique form of entertainment that has been growing in popularity across the country, and 606 Lumberjacks is excited to bring this fun and thrilling activity to the community. The new venue is designed to provide a safe and
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Southeast Kentucky Chamber Host Successful March Membership Meeting
Pikeville, KY (March 17, 2023) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber recently hosted their March Membership meeting on March 16, 2023, at the Garfield House in Pikeville. The event was well-attended, and members were excited to come together in-person to connect, learn, and discuss current issues affecting the business community. During the event, attendees got to hear from guest speaker, President and CEO of One East Kentucky, Colby Kirk. He provided insight into current economic development initiatives and
Southeast Kentucky Chamber's Leadership Program, Patton Leadership Institute, Visits Pike County
Pikeville, KY (March 7,2023) Patton Leadership Institute is a comprehensive and intensive training program aimed at developing and expanding leadership skills for people in various professions such as business, government, education, and non-profit organizations. The program consists of a series of sessions designed to help participants develop their leadership skills and increase their knowledge of the region they call home.The day-long Pike County session featured a dynamic lineup of speakers and
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Welcome these new members who joined the Chamber in the month of February.
Pikeville, KY(March 15, 2023) The Southeast Kentucky Chamber's mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through our commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region. We are excited to welcome these new members who joined in the month of February: Johnson's Antiques Johnson's Antiques also be celebrating its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on April 15 at 1 pmMcKinney Family DentistryWith member
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber's Patton Leadership Institute Visits Frankfort for Monthly Session
Pikeville, KY (February 22,2023) - The Southeast Kentucky Chamber's Patton Leadership Institute visited Frankfort on February 2, 2023, for its monthly session, providing an opportunity for participants to learn about state government and engage with legislators. Patton Leadership Institute is a program designed to develop and enhance the leadership skills of emerging and existing leaders in Southeast Kentucky. The program offers monthly sessions on various topics related to leadership, including
Southeast Kentucky Chamber Celebrates The Pallet Bin’s Newest Location
Paintsville, KY (February 7, 2023) – On February 4, the Southeast Kentucky Chamber celebrated with The Pallet Bin for a grand-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony in honor of their new store in Paintsville. The new store is located at 338 North Mayo Trail in Paintsville on the hill with Food City. This store offers comfortable room to shop and even includes a testing area where you can open packaging for your approval before purchasing. One of the co-owners, Shawn Reynolds, said he was excited with
How to Turn Your Homestead Hobby Into a Business Opportunity
The rise of the homesteading lifestyle has been fueled by a desire for a more sustainable way of life. And what could be more sustainable than growing your own food and raising your own animals? Plus, if you're producing more than you need, monetizing your hobby farm is a great way to support yourself while living off the land. If you want to turn your hobby farm into a decent side business, this blog post from the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is for you!Craft Your Brand The first step is to
Southeast Kentucky Chamber Welcomes TEK Center
Inez, KY (February 8, 2023) TEK Center offers fast-tracked vocational certifications taking less than one year to complete. TEK Center is an Eastern Kentucky led educational facility located at 104 E Main Street in Inez, KY. Students who complete the program will receive national certifications through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to operate eight different types of heavy equipment. Programs include heavy equipment operation, industrial maintenance mechanics, and
Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Josh Ball of SOAR as Guest Speaker
Pikeville, KY (January 20, 2023) – On Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, the Southeast Kentucky Chamber held its monthly membership meeting at the Garfield House in Pikeville. This month’s guest speaker was Joshua Ball, chief operations officer of Shaping our Appalachian Region (SOAR). SOAR is a regional nonpartisan nonprofit that champions local projects, programs, and advocacy for the 54 ARC-mandated counties in Eastern Kentucky. During his presentation, Ball discussed SOAR’s work to stimulate economic growth
Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Josh Ball of SOAR as Guest Speaker
Pikeville, KY (January 20, 2023) – On Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, the Southeast Kentucky Chamber held its monthly membership meeting at the Garfield House in Pikeville. This month’s guest speaker was Joshua Ball, chief operations officer of Shaping our Appalachian Region (SOAR). SOAR is a regional nonpartisan nonprofit that champions local projects, programs, and advocacy for the 54 ARC-mandated counties in Eastern Kentucky. During his presentation, Ball discussed SOAR’s work to stimulate economic growth
Chamber Signs On in Support of SALT Parity
Pikeville, KY (January 23, 2023) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has joined a coalition of organizations in support of passing State and Local Tax Parity Relief for Kentucky Small Businesses. Other organizations in support include the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Lexington, Greater Louisville, Inc., and the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 included numerous provisions to support economic growth, changes made to the
Patton Leadership Institute visits Floyd County
Prestonsburg, KY (January 9, 2023) – Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) spent the day in Floyd County on Thursday, January 5th, learning about business and tourism in Floyd County. The day included a visit to the Mountain Arts Center, East Kentucky Science Center, and Varia Planetarium located on the Prestonsburg campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. The group toured the Mountain Arts Center (MAC) in Prestonsburg. The MAC, founded in 1996, houses a 1,044-seat theatre, several large meeting
Akers joins Chamber team as membership development manager
PIKEVILLE, KY (Jan. 4, 2023) The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Zach Akers has joined the organization as the membership development manager. In his new role, Zach will serve the local business community as a direct liaison for member services. He will assist our existing members in leveraging their Chamber membership to grow their business, while at the same time working with businesses in the community who have interest in joining the Chamber. He is available to meet
Southeast Kentucky Chamber awards $8,000 through Excellence in Education Grants
PIKEVILLE, KY (Dec. 20, 2023) The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce awarded $8,000 in grant funding through its Excellence in Education Grant Program to four schools across the region – two Letcher County schools, the Knott County School System, and one school in Johnson County. Jordan Gibson, president and CEO of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber, said the educators in the region who apply for the education grants always have exciting and innovative projects in mind for their students. “The Chamber is
Southeast Kentucky Chamber selected to host 2023 National Civics Bee
PIKEVILLE, KY (Dec. 19, 2022) The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has been selected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation as one of six local chambers in Kentucky to host the National Civics Bee, a middle school civics competition in spring 2023. The National Civics Bee is an annual initiative aimed at encouraging young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition,
A Helpful Holiday Season Checklist for Southeast Kentucky Small Businesses
Are you feeling behind on your holiday preparations? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many small business owners are scrambling to get everything done in time. But don't worry, we've got you covered. From the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, here’s a helpful holiday season checklist to help make sure you don't miss a thing. With this checklist under your belt, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the holidays while knowing your business is taken care of. So what are you waiting for? Check this out:1.
Finding the Right Web Assistance for Your Southeast KY Small Business
Operating a small business might seem more complicated than ever now that entrepreneurs also need to navigate a vast digital landscape. However, your small business can thrive if you recruit the right kinds of help. There are several skilled professionals, such as web, graphic, and user interface designers, who can assist you with challenging web-based projects. The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce details a few of them below.Web Designer The first kind of professional you’ll likely need is a web
Tiffany Coleman joins Southeast Kentucky Chamber staff.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETiffany ColemanDirector of Programs and MediaOffice: 606.432.5504tiffany.coleman@sekchamber.com Tiffany Coleman joins Southeast Kentucky Chamber staff. PIKEVILLE, KY (March 2022) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently named Tiffany Coleman its director of programs and media. In this role, Coleman will keep the community up to date on the happenings of the Chamber and its members via the Chamber’s website, social media, and more. Coleman will also assist in managing
