News
Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week Event Supports WestCare Perry Cline Emergency Shelter
PIKEVILLE, KY — November 14, 2025 —Local organizations and community members will come together on Tuesday, November 19th for the Feed the Need for Change Walk, an event designed to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness in Eastern Kentucky while collecting non-perishable food donations for the WestCare Perry Cline Emergency Shelter.The walk is part of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, a national initiative aimed at shining a light on the challenges faced by individuals and families experiencing
.png)
Community Trust Bank Announces Jody Thompson Promoted to Regional Senior Leader
PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY - (August 7. 2025) - Mark A. Gooch, Chairman, President and CEO of Community Trust Bancorp, Inc., is pleased to announce that Senior Vice President Jody Thompson has been promoted to the position of Regional Senior Lender with Community Trust Bank, Inc. Mr. Thompson’s responsibilities include providing consumer, residential, and commercial lending options to new and existing clients, as well as offering a variety of financial solutions to individuals and businesses including the
Perks Reimagined: How Employers Are Reshaping Benefits to Keep Teams Engaged
As the traditional benefits model frays at the edges, a wave of inventive ideas is taking its place. Employers aren't just reacting to demands for flexibility or wellness—they’re rethinking the nature of support altogether. The new breed of benefits goes far beyond insurance packages or ping-pong tables, tapping into a deeper understanding of what makes people feel whole and valued at work. With retention as much about emotion as economics, companies are crafting offerings that are generous, thoughtful,
Smart Strategies to Keep Costs Low When Starting Your Restaurant
Starting a restaurant is one of the most thrilling business ventures, but it’s also one of the most expensive. As any restaurateur knows, managing costs early on can make the difference between surviving and thriving. Smart, actionable strategies can help you keep costs low without compromising on quality, giving your restaurant the best chance to succeed.Choose the Right Business Structure When launching your restaurant, the business structure you choose is a key decision that can affect both your
House Majority Caucus Issues 2025 Regular Session Summary
Frankfort, Kentucky (June 30, 2025) – As the effective date for a majority of the legislation passed during the 2025 Regular Session approaches, today the House Majority Caucus issued its “Results for Kentucky,” a compilation of summaries of each bill and resolution that passed into law. A downloadable copy of the document can be found by clicking here. “We remain committed to delivering practical, common-sense solutions that tackle the real challenges Kentuckians face every day. Staying true to our
Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. Announces the Appointment of David L. Baird to Its Board of Directors
PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY (June 27th, 2025): Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTBI) is pleased to announce the appointment of David L. Baird to its Board of Directors. A native of Pikeville, Kentucky, Mr. Baird is an attorney and shareholder at Baird & Baird, P.S.C. in Pikeville, Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Richard T. Farmer School of Business at Miami University (Ohio). He earned his Juris Doctor from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in
Legislation passed during 2025 Regular Session set to take effect Friday
Frankfort, Kentucky (June 25, 2025) – The majority of bills passed into law during the 2025 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly will take effect later this week, providing another opportunity to review what lawmakers accomplished as they prepare the agenda for next year’s legislative session. While Kentucky lawmakers adjourned the 2025 Regular Session on March 28, Section 55 of the Kentucky Constitution sets out that legislation takes effect 90 days after the adjournment of the session,
Redd, Brown & Williams Joins Forces with Better Homes and Gardens
Redd, Brown & Williams Continues Legacy by Joining Forces with a Leading Lifestyle Real Estate Brand, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central.PRESTONSBURG, KY (April 1, 2025) – Redd, Brown & Williams Real Estate Services, INC, a market-leading, multi-office real estate and appraisal firm that has been serving Eastern Kentucky since 1950, has joined forces with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central, a regional brokerage with headquarters in Charleston, West Virginia. Founded in 1950 by Ed
Brandon Kirk Selected as Executive Director of Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum
PIKEVILLE, KY (March 24, 2025) – The Board of Directors of the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum have selected Brandon Kirk as their new executive director. Kirk, a Lincoln County, WV native, has taught for 25 years in public schools in West Virginia and Tennessee, before teaching higher education for 12 years. He has a passion for the history and culture of Appalachia and is excited to bring that passion to the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum. Kirk said, “history, culture, and tourism are a part of the
Southeast Kentucky Chamber Holds Lunch & Learn with Big Sandy ADD's Blake Moss
PIKEVILLE, KY (March 17, 2025) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held a Lunch & Learn event on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, which featured guest speaker, Blake Moss, Public Administration Specialist for the Big Sandy Area Development District (Big Sandy ADD). Moss spoke about the launch of the FIRE program at the ADD and the goal for it to fuel entrepreneurship in the region. He informed viewers that within the ADD’s five county region of Johnson, Floyd, Martin, Magoffin, and Pike, there is a 4.4%
Southeast Kentucky Chamber Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Campus Styles and Scoops
PIKEVILLE, KY (March 12, 2025) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, March 1, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of Campus Styles and Scoops, a new chamber member and business in downtown Pikeville. The shop, formerly known as Steph’s Uptown Swag, is located at 118 Caroline Avenue and has undergone a transformation under its new ownership.Originally from Pike County, owner Jarrad Stump and his wife, Amanda, now reside in Tennessee, where they
December's Chamber Member of the Month: H.R. Jackson Law, PLLC
The best word to describe Helena Racin Jackson, founder of H.R. Jackson Law, PLLC, is dynamic. She’s a friendly, driven “girl’s girl” whose values are deeply rooted in Christ. As a mother, wife, business owner, and community leader, Helena seamlessly balances her roles with grace. She channels her competitive spirit to achieve results for her clients and then turns around to lead worship at her church, Faith Baptist Church of Myra. Helena is always on the move, driven by her passion for serving others and
SBA Recognizes Community Trust Bank as Kentucky’s Top SBA Community Bank Lender, 2023 – 2024
PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY – Community Trust Bank, Inc. has earned the "Gold Lender Award" from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) as Kentucky's top volume SBA 7(a) Community Bank lender in federal fiscal year 2023–2024 for the 16th consecutive year. The award will be formally presented to Community Trust Bank in the spring of 2025. In total, SBA authorized 63 guaranteed 7(a) loans providing access to $18,603,800 for Community Trust Bank customers in five states (Kentucky, Tennessee, West
Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Holds Lunch & Learn with Kentucky Hospital Association’s Jim Musser
PIKEVILLE, KY (December 12, 2024) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held a Lunch & Learn event on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, which featured guest speaker, Jim Musser, Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Relations for the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA). The event was attended by representatives from Pikeville Medical Center, American Red Cross, Bluegrass Care Navigators, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH). Lunch was generously sponsored by ARH. Musser’s presentation
Patton Leadership Institute Class of 2025 Holds Third Session in Martin County
PIKEVILLE, KY (December 9, 2024) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) held its third session for the Class of 2025 in Martin County on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The cohort visits a different county for each session. PLI will visit Floyd County on January 9, 2025. The Class of 2025 began the day with a tour at United States Penitentiary Big Sandy, a maximum-security prison with a minimum-security camp. The cohort learned all about the different programs the
Experience Compliance Growth with Innovative Audits
As regulatory demands grow more complex, the pressure to adopt innovative audit solutions intensifies. Transforming manual auditing into efficient, technology-driven processes redefines how audits are approached. Advanced tools can detect anomalies and automate compliance tasks, creating a smoother, more precise system. These modern solutions elevate compliance efforts and sharpen a business’s competitive advantage. Embracing technology signals a shift toward a more adaptive and dynamic
Empowering Your Teams Through Strategic Training Investments
In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, staying competitive requires more than just keeping up with the latest trends. It demands a proactive approach to employee development that integrates cutting-edge technological advancements and industry insights. Imagine your team not just keeping pace with change but mastering it, driving your company forward as innovators and leaders. Embracing digital learning tools can revolutionize your training programs, fostering a culture of professional
