Tim Kirby was the recipient of the 2012 Ambassador Scholarship presented by the Chamber of Commerce. Tim Kirby, who is the President of the Rockcastle County High School Y-club, worked along with other club members to assist the Chamber in recruiting new members and informing existing members of upcoming events and meetings. The Chamber instituted the$500 scholarship to recognize students who are active in the community and the Chamber.

We look forward to seeing you!

Jeff Sheppard

Rockcastle Regional Hospital will be hosting a combined Chamber of Commerce and Rockcastle UNITE Coalition meeting in the new conference room on the 3rd floor of the Physical Therapy wing of the hospital.  We will begin at noon on April 11th with lunch provided by the hospital.  Guest speaker is Jeff Sheppard.

Jeff and Stacey Sheppard live in London, KY with their 10 year old daughter, Madison and their 6 year old son Reed. Stacey played basketball at UK from 1992-1995 and also played for USA Basketball in the Jones Cup in 1994 and the World University Games in 1995. Jeff and Stacey met at the University of Kentucky at study hall, the training room, and at Memorial Coliseum where the men’s and women’s team practiced. As a boy, Jeff dreamed about playing basketball at UK and in 6th grade wrote a paper about trading places with Larry Bird and playing for the Boston Celtics but first wanting to play for the Kentucky Wildcats. Jeff played at UK from 1994-1998 winning two National Championships in 1996 and 1998. Jeff was named Most Outstanding Player in the 1998 Final Four. Jeff played one season for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA and 3 seasons professionally in Italy. Jeff and Stacey now own and operate a private label apparel company, 15inc, based in London, KY. Jeff is also the VP of Business Development for Wazoo Sports, a Kentucky sports TV Network.
 

 In this hands-on training class you will:

• Create a business plan

• Get answers from experienced professionals

• Research your market

• Network with other small business owners

Register today to take advantage of this $700 value. Class size is limited!

Attendees: Start-up and businesses two years or younger

Dates: Monday and Thursday evenings April 2, 2012 to May 3, 2012

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Location: Rockcastle Adult Education Center

 Cost: $100. Scholarships available.

 Registration: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Adult Education Center, 945 West Main Street, Mt. Vernon. Evening registration available by calling 606-256-0218.

 Questions? Contact Geoffrey Willett at 859-986-2373 or gwillett@maced.org

 Guest speakers include: Jon Carloftis!

The Chamber invites any 2012 graduate of Rockcastle County High School to submit a Scholarship Application.  The Rockcastle County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Committee will implement the application and selection process.

Click here to download the scholarship application.

The title of the presentation will be “Putting Current Markets Into Perspective: Why to Stay Invested.”

David Short, a native of eastern Kentucky and a graduate from the University of Pikeville (formerly Pikeville College), is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ working mostly in central Kentucky. David holds a Master’s of Science in Financial Services from the Institute of Business of Finance and also holds various other industry designations. Mr. Short works with individuals and small to mid-size businesses to accomplish their financial goals. Specially, David specializes in retirement income planning, education planning, insurance planning, social security planning, and estate planning. When not working, Mr. Short enjoys spending time with his wife Tonya, daughter Reece, reading, and sports. David and Tonya are also expecting their second child in December.

Dwain Harris, Bekah Taulbee, Darlene Clark, Denise Alexander, Amy Bowling and Gary Mink.

View Drive in Mt. Vernon, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 10th followed by an Open House at the Center.

According to Denise Alexander, Director, “We believe that the infant-preschool years are the most important years of a child’s life.  It is our goal to provide the safest and most educational environment for your children.”

The center officially opened on August 1^stand is currently enrolling children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.  For more information about Seek and Learn Child Development Center, call (606) 256-2229.

Rodriguez provided chamber members with valuable information  regarding services offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at  Eastern Kentucky University. Services include business start-up procedures,  business and strategic plan development, financial resource development,  management support, record management, accounting systems, governmental  relations and marketing. He explained that planning and consulting services are  provided at no charge and training workshops are provided at little to no cost.   The center provides services in the counties of: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Estill,  Garrard, Jackson, Laurel, Lincoln, Madison, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle,  Russell, Wayne and Whitley. For more information visit ekubiz.com.

Isaacs spoke with chamber members as to how MACED seeks to  help businesses that are committed to building sustainable and vibrant local economies in Appalachian Kentucky. MACED works with viable businesses that may  have trouble finding bank financing, but are contributing to the employment and  economic opportunities in the region. Loan products include equipment and real estate loans, working capital, operating  apital term loans and lines of credit.  For more information visit maced.org.

To conclude the meeting, the Rockcastle County Chamber of  Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome its newest member, the Back Porch Smokehouse, located in Renfro Valley.