[♪♪] >> Renee: WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL ON THE ROAD EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

COMING TO YOU FROM THE WKUPBS STUDIOS ON WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY.

WE HAVE BEEN IN HILLTOP TERRITORY FOR THE LAST WEEK FOCUSING ON THE EDUCATIONAL AND BUSINESS PROGRESS IN THIS AREA AND THE RECREATIONAL AMENITIES OF SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY FOR OUR WEEKNIGHT PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM, "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WELL, TONIGHT, WE HAVE ASSEMBLED A PANEL OF COMMUNITY LEADERS THEY ARE IN PUBLIC POLICY AND BUSINESS, TOURISM, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION AND MORE.

AND THEY WILL TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FACING BOWLING GREEN, WARREN COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

AND WITH US WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE BOWLING GREEN MAYOR, TODD ALCOT.

SHERRY MURPHY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BOWLING GREEN AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU.

RON BUNCH PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE BOWLING GREEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MEREDITH WHO SERVES EDMONSON AND WARREN COUNTY IN THE HOUSE DISTRICT.

Dr. TIMOTHY CABONI PRESIDENT OF WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY.

AND STATE SENATOR MIKE WILSON WHO SERVES LOGAN, SIMPSON TODD AND PART OF WARREN COUNTY IN THE 32nd SENATE DISTRICT.

PLEASE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR AUDIENCE IN OUR STUDIOS TONIGHT HERE AT WKU PBS THEY ARE COMMUNITY LUMINARIES.

AND WE'RE GLAD THEY TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR SCHEDULES TO BE WITH US THIS EVENING.

GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] SO, MAYORAL COT I BEGIN WITH YOU, TOUGH FIRST QUESTION, AS WE'VE BEEN HERE AND LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT BOWLING GREEN WE HAVE OUR TALENTED PRODUCER REPORTER LAURA ROGERS WHO IS HERE ALL THE TIME AND TELLING GREAT STORIES ABOUT SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF GROWTH ANTICIPATED FOR THIS AREA.

IN 25 YEARS IT'S HAPPENING WHERE BOWLING GREEN IS EXPECTED TO ALMOST DOUBLE ITS SIZE.

TALK TO US ABOUT HOW YOU AS MAYOR, AS WORKING NOW IS PREPARE FOR THIS GROWTH SPURT THAT YOU ARE BOUND TO EXPERIENCE NOT 25 YEARS FROM NOW, BUT IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

>> WELL, RENEE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE IN BOWLING GREEN AND WELCOME BACK TO YOUR ALMA MATER AND IT IS AN HONOR TO REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY.

SO OUR GROWTH IS GOING FAST AND A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY WELL, SLOW DOWN, YOU KNOW, COMES WITH A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY COMES WITH BEING NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE.

AND WE HAVE BEEN NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE FOR SEVERAL THINGS.

OUR COUNTY AND CITY, AND REALLY WHAT IT'S ABOUT, IT'S ABOUT COLLABORATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS.

IT'S ABOUT HAVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING IN THE CIRCLE AND THE PEOPLE THAT REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY.

AND IT'S HAVING THAT OUTWARD LOOK ON WHAT THAT GROWTH WILL BE LIKE IN 25 YEARS.

BUT KEEPING UP, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP UP.

WHEN I CAME ON AS MAYOR, WE WERE 24 POLICE OFFICERS SHY.

WE WERE OUR PAY WAS IN THE HIGH 40s, BUT WE HAD TO GET THAT GAP CLOSED AND WE HAD TO GROW THE AMOUNT OF EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAD FOR OUR CITY JUST TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE SIZE CITY WE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

SO WE'VE CLOSED THAT PAY GAP.

STARTING PAY IS $63,000 NOW TODAY.

WE'VE HIRED THOSE POLICE OFFICERS.

WE HAVE HIRED ABOUT FIVE POLICE OFFICERS AND HALF OF OUR WORKFORCE IS POLICE AND FIRE.

WE'VE ADDED THREE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

WE'VE ADDED 22 POSITIONS TO THE CITY THIS YEAR.

AND WE'RE ABOUT TO APPROACH A CITY THE SIZE OF 600 EMPLOYEES AND 250 SEASONAL EMPLOYEES.

THAT IS A CITY THAT NEEDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

HOWEVER, AS YOU'RE FORECASTING THAT GROWTH, HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN, HOW DO YOU KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING?

SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE FOCUSED ON.

BUT IT'S ABOUT INVESTING IN WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED.

AND WE'RE LISTENING AND WE HAVE GREAT INITIATIVES TO DO THAT.

>> Renee: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AS WE GO ALONG.

WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES OR THE STRATEGIC PLAN, IF YOU WILL, THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DEPLOY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GROW SMART?

>> OUR MOTTO IS OUR GOAL IS SERVICE DRIVEN, POWER LED GROWTH.

AND THAT IS THE CITIZENS THAT REALLY HELP DETERMINE WHAT THIS COMMUNITY IS ABOUT AND THAT'S OUR HEART.

AND OUR HEART IS ALWAYS BEEN A SMALL HOMETOWN.

SOMETHING THAT OUR CITY DID RECENTLY IN THE LAST THREE YEARS IS THAT WE ACTUALLY JOINED OUR ADD DISTRICT.

AND SO THOSE 10 COUNTIES NINE SURROUNDING US AND WARREN COUNTY, WE LOOK AT IT AS OUR STEP AS IN LOCK STEP WITH HOW WE GROW TOGETHER SUCCESSFULLY.

AND THAT PARTNERSHIP HAS BROUGHT TO US A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS.

AND WE'VE PUT SOME OF THOSE IDEAS INTO STRATEGY LIKE HEALTHCARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HAVE INVESTED WE'VE HAD INITIATIVES TO HELP OUT OUR HOMELESSNESS.

THESE ARE THE COMMUNITY ISSUES WE ARE FACING HERE.

AND, I THINK, AT THAT TIME THESE ARE SOME STRATEGIES THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP US BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE IN THE HEART.

BUT IN THE SAME TOKEN WE HAVE ALSO INVESTED IN NEW PARKS.

SO WE HAVE INITIATIVE RIGHT NOW WITH OUR GREENWAY, WITH OUR BARREN RIVER TO ADD WHITEWATER AND THEN TO BUILD OUT THAT PARK.

LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE, TAKING CARE OF THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS, TAKING CARE OF THE COMMUNITY'S ISSUES ALL THAT STRATEGY WORKED TOGETHER TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Renee: Mr.

BUNCH, TO YOU NEXT THIS IS WHAT YOU DO, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HELP STRENGTHEN NOT JUST BOWLING GREEN AND WARREN COUNTY HOW IT DOES SPILLOVER INTO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

TALK TO US ABOUT THE EVOLUTION YOU HAVE SEEN WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS GROWTH?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

WE HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY BLESSED AND RANKED FOR 13 YEARS, SIXTH OR HIGHER IN THE COUNTRY.

WE OWE THAT TO THE PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT ARE MAKING THE INVESTMENTS AND CREATING THE JOBS.

SO WE'VE SOLIDIFIED OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

AND THEN WITH THAT, OUR CHAMBER GETS TO WORK WITH A VERY BALANCED BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

AND SO THEY'VE STEPPED UP AND MADE INVESTMENTS IN HEALTHCARE, AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION, TRANSPORTATION DISTRIBUTION LOGISTICS ALL THE OTHER SECTORS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ROUNDING OUT OUR ECONOMY.

NOW WE'VE ENTERED INTO A PHASE WHERE WE CAN DO MORE WITH THE UNIVERSITY WITH RESPECT TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES AND DIVERSIFYING OUR BASE GETTING INTO TECHNOLOGY FIRMS AND HAVING MORE BOARDS IN BOWLING GREEN.

SO THAT'S SOME OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO A LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT.

WE CAN SPEND SOMETIME ON DIVERSIFICATION EFFORTS.

>> Renee: AND YOU FEEL LIKE THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES WE HEAR ABOUT ELSEWHERE, DO THEY APPLY HERE?

HOW ARE YOU TRYING TO MEET THOSE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES TO FILL THOSE JOBS?

>> WELL, THIS IS MY SIXTH ROLE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

[INAUDIBLE] I HAVE BEEN HERE 15 YEARS I GUESS IT'S GOING RIGHT THIS GO AROUND.

WE STARTED ON A TALENT-LED ECONOMIC STRATEGY YEARS AGO.

AND SO WE FIGURED OUT YEARS AGO THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A SHORTAGE OF TALENT IN THE COUNTRY DUE TO THE AGING RETIREMENT OF THE BABY-BOOMERS.

WE HAVE SYSTEMICALLY BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND INVESTED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEN WORKED TOGETHER WITH UNIVERSITY, WITH CDC TO BUILD MORE OF AN APPROACH TO BETTER MEETING DEMAND.

SO THAT'S PART OF IT.

WHEN WE TALK TO OTHER BUSINESSES THEY ARE STRUGGLING EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO FIND TALENT.

WE GET TO POINT TO THE PARTNERSHIPS WE HAVE INVESTED IN AND BUILT FOR DECADES AND SHOW THEM THE FRUITS OF THAT LABOR.

AND THEN WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO IS IDENTIFY THOSE POSITIONS WHERE YOU CAN'T REALLY FILL THEM FAST ENOUGH.

AND THEN OUR CITY AND COUNTY HAVE COINVESTED IN THE RECRUITMENT EFFORTS TO BRING TALENT INTO THE AREA FOR JOBS WE CAN'T FILL WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

HAVING THE FASTEST GROWING CITY, FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE STATE HELPS US KEEP UP WITH THAT AND THE UNIVERSITY DOES A GREAT JOB FOR BRINGING STUDENTS THEY FALL IN LOVE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO STAY HERE.

THAT IS OUR SYSTEM THAT WORKED WELL.

>> Renee: PERFECT SEGUE.

Dr. CABONI YOU ARE THE UNIVERSITY IS A DRIVING ENGINE FOR THE ECONOMIC PROGRESS THAT THIS AREA IS SEEING.

TALK ABOUT HOW ONCE YOU GET THE STUDENTS HERE AND TALK ABOUT HOW THAT'S GROWN DURING YOUR TENURE HOW DO YOU KEEP THEM HERE TO WORK, LIVE AND MAKE A LIFE HERE?

>> BOWLING GREEN IS THE COMMONWEALTH'S COLLEGE TOWN.

WE KNOW THAT THAT IS A DIFFERENTIATOR FOR US.

AND SO IS BEING AN HOUR NORTH OF ONE OF THE HOTTEST CITIES IN THE NATION.

TALK TO ME 30 YEARS AGO AND SAY BOWLING GREEN WAS NATIONAL NORTH I WOULD HAVE LAUGHED.

A THIRD OF OUR STUDENT POPULATION COMES FROM OUT OF STATE.

NASHVILLE BEING AN IMPORTANT DRIVER.

FOR US IT'S ABOUT HAVING THE PROGRAMS THEY WANT AND NEED AND ALSO CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT AND COLLEGIATE ENVIRONMENT WITH OUR DOWNTOWN AND ALL OF OUR SERVICES THAT MAKES THEM SAY THIS IS NOT JUST A PLACE I WANT TO GET A DEGREE BUT I WANT TO RAISE A FAMILY.

YOU MAY HEAR A SUCKING SOUND AS STUDENTS TRY TO DECAMP TO NASHVILLE.

WE HAVE A PRICE ADVANTAGE THEY HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS OF HAVING AN HOUR AWAY BUT EVERYTHING WE DO IN BOWLING GREEN THAT IS WONDERFUL.

I WILL SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES, I'VE BEEN A LOT OF PLACES IN THE COUNTRY.

AND WHAT I'VE NOTICED ABOUT BOWLING GREEN, AND WARREN COUNTY IS THAT WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME PAGE IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

WE ARE ALL GROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AND NO ONE WANTS CREDIT FOR IT.

THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENTIATOR.

THE REASON WE ARE GROWING SO QUICKLY AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT POPULATION AND HOW THAT HAS GROWN AND FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS.

>> WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME OUR GOAL WE USED TO TALK ABOUT A GOAL OF 20,000.

AND I DON'T JUST WANT TO BE BIG, I WANT TO BE GOOD.

WE FOCUSED ON EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT SUCCESS.

YOU WERE HERE EIGHT YEARS AGO WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THIS WE MOVED OUR RETENTION RATE BY 7 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

UNIVERSITIES TAKE TWO OR THREE YEARS TO DO 1%.

IN ADDITION, WE NOW GRADUATE ALMOST 60% OF OUR ENTERING CLASS.

IT NEEDS TO BE MORE.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE GRADUATES WE PRODUCE AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL WE GRADUATE MORE STUDENTS THAN ANY OTHER COMPREHENSIVE THE NEAREST IS 33% LESS.

WE GRADUATE MORE UNDERGRADUATES THAN THAT OTHER RED PLACE IN THE STATE.

PROUD OF HOW WE'RE WORKING TOWARD THAT.

AND THE OTHER IS WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK OUT INTO THE FUTURE AND IDENTIFY WHAT ARE THE WORKFORCE NEEDS THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

WE WORK WITH OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE DEGREE PROGRAMS WE OFFER AND HOW WE NUDGE ON THAT AND SHAPE THOSE OFFERINGS SO WE ARE AHEAD OF THE GAME.

THE OTHER IS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT WE KNOW IS FOR THE FUTURE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT OUR INNOVATION CAMPUS A COUPLE MILES SOUTH OF HERE AS THE NEXT DRIVER OF THE ECONOMY AND HOW DO WE GET THERE, AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO BUILD AND ATTRACT THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMPANIES.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT THE DEGREE PROGRAMS TRYING TO KEEP PACE WITH WHAT BUSINESSES SAY THEY NEED?

>> ONE OF THE NEWEST IS DATA SCIENCE.

WE KNOW THIS IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST DEGREE PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY.

IT TOUCHES UPON EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE, LOGISTICS, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, EVERY PERSON CAN GET A JOB, BUT A GREAT SIX-FIGURE JOB.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THERE IS ALSO A NEED FOR PH.D.'S IN THE AREA.

AND I'M THANKFUL TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CREATING A PATHWAY FOR US.

OUR FIRST PH.D.

PROGRAM WE PURSUE RESEARCH DESIGNATION NATIONALLY IS GOING TO BE IN DATA SCIENCE.

THAT WORKFORCE NEED COUPLED WITH US BEING ABLE TO ATTRACT NEW COMPANIES.

WE HAD A GREAT SUCCESS STORY WE HAVE NOT MADE IT PUBLIC YET BUT WE'VE RECRUITED A TREMENDOUS ENTREPRENEUR AND HIS COMPANY TO BOWLING GREEN HE IS GOING TO PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND DRIVE RESEARCH ON OUR CAMPUS AND COMMERCIALIZE THINGS HE HAS DONE.

WE ARE EXCITED TO PREVIEW FOR THAT.

>> Renee: FEEL FREE TO NAME DROP IF YOU LIKE.

[LAUGHTER] WE'LL TALK.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

SPEAKING OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY LET'S TURN TO THE DELEGATES IN FRANKFORT SENATOR WILSON WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT HOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS HELPED WESTERN AND SO MANY WAYS INCLUDING THE PH.D.

ET CETERA, TALK ABOUT THE INVESTMENT THAT FRANKFORT IS MAKING INTO THIS INSTITUTION?

>> WELL, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF BUDGET CYCLES WE HAVE DONE RECORD FUNDING IN EDUCATION.

NOT JUST K-12 BUT OUR UNIVERSITIES.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN THANKFUL.

AND, OF COURSE, AS WE'RE COMING UP ON THE BUDGET CYCLE THEY ARE MEETING WITH US REGULARLY AND TELL US WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF FUNDING FOR THE NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL AS WELL AS THE ACADEMIC -- WELL, THE ACADEMIC COMPLEX.

AND ALSO THE SPORTS COMPLEX THAT JUST DID THE BEAM ON.

BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, GOING TO R2 WAS HUGE.

>> Renee: THIS IS RESEARCH INSTITUTION.

>> IT IS.

AND WE HAVE NO R2 UNIVERSITY BUT YET THEY HAVE BEEN POISED TO DO THAT.

THEY CAME AND TALKED TO US ALL ABOUT THAT.

THAT WAS MY COLLEAGUE'S BILL.

THAT WAS PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SO WE ARE BOTH HERE AND THIS IS MY UNIVERSITY IT'S IN MY DISTRICT.

I DID NOT GRADUATE FROM THERE.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT.

>> Renee: YOU'RE FORGIVEN.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

ANYWAY, IT'S SOMETHING WE ARE VERY, VERY SENSITIVE TO ALWAYS LISTENING AND HOW CAN WE SUPPORT IT BECAUSE OF THE JOB THEY ARE DOING.

>> Renee: WE'LL LET MICHAEL MEREDITH PICK UP FROM THERE.

>> THAT IS GOING TO BE A TRANSFORMATIVE PIECE OF THIS GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT R2 CAN BRING IT'S TAKING RESEARCH WE SEE AT R1 UNIVERSITIES AND TRANS ISING THOSE INTO JOBS AND INVEST,S MAKING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE LONG BEFORE WE GET THAT DESIGNATION.

THE HURDLE WE HAVE THE UNIVERSITY WAS POISED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT THE HURDLE IS REMOVING THE HURDLE AT THE STATE LEVEL IN OUR STATUTES TO ALLOW THEM TO SEEK THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND NOW THAT WE HAVE DONE THAT IN THE LAST CYCLE, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE UP TO FIVE PH.D. PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE HERE ON CAMPUS THAT WILL LEAD INTO THOSE RESEARCH TYPE POSITIONS AND THOSE RESEARCH STEIN JOBS IN THE -- TYPE JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT WILL BE HEADQUARTERED OUT OF INNOVATION CAMPUS AND WE'VE MADE TREMENDOUS INVESTMENTS OUT THERE.

TO GROW THAT CAMPUS.

AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING THERE.

BUT IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO WE HAVE BEEN AS RON BUNCH SAID, VERY FOCUSED ON INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING FOR A LONGTIME IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE'VE HIT THAT INFLECTION POINT NOW AS WE DON'T HAVE THE LAND FOR THE INDUSTRIAL SITES WE ONCE HAD AS WE RUN OUT OF THAT INVENTORY.

WE NEED TO GROW IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

SO IT'S HOW DO WE GROW THOSE START UP COMPANIES THOSE TECH COMPANIES, BIOMEDICAL COMPANIES.

THINGS OF THAT NATURE AS PRESIDENT CABONI SAID HIGH PAYING, SIX-FIGURE PLUS JOBS THAT WE CAN KEEP THE STUDENTS WHO ARE ACHIEVING AND ATTAINING HIGH IN THE UNIVERSITY SETTING HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF GOING TO NASHVILLE, INSTEAD OF GOING TO LOUISVILLE AND LARGER CITIES.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A PART OF THAT TRANSFORMATION OF THIS COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT THE TRANS PART THE OPPORTUNITY?

>> AS WE TALK ABOUT THIS TRANSITION, THIS IS THE NEXT GENERATION TRANSITION.

IF YOU LOOK BACK THE TRANS PART WAS 25, 30 YEARS AGO WHEN THAT PROJECT GOT STARTED AND YOU CAN'T MENTION THE TRANS PARK WITHOUT BECAUSE IT WAS HIS BABY HE TOOK DARTS OVER IT AND HE FOUGHT PEOPLE OVER IT ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE DID NOT THINK IT WOULD SEE THE SUCCESS.

WARREN COUNTY IS A STRONG AGRICULTURE PRODUCING COUNTY AND THAT WAS FERTILE FARMLAND.

I STILL LIVE ON ONE OF THOSE FARMS THAT LOOKS AT THE TRANS PARK THERE ON THE CUSP OF THAT PROPERTY.

BUT IT HAS BEEN VERY FERTILE LAND TO GROW BUSINESSES NOW, TOO.

IT'S NOT JUST HEAVY INDUSTRY THERE'S A LOT OF HEAVY INDUSTRY LIKE MAGNA WHO BUILD FRAMES FOR FORD PICKUP TRUCKS AND AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS.

YOU LOOK AT THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM FACILITIES THAT ARE THERE.

IN THE TRANS PARK.

I THINK THERE'S AROUND 8,000 JOBS IN THAT PARK RIGHT NOW.

AND THOSE ARE NOT JUST JOBS PROVIDED TO PEOPLE IN WARREN COUNTY BUT THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

CERTAINLY MY HOME COUNTY OF EDMONSON HAS BENEFITED TREMENDOUSLY FROM THAT.

FOLKS WORKING THERE, COMMUTING THAT SMALL COMMUTE OF 15-20 MINUTES TO GET A GOOD HIGH PAYING JOB.

BUT THERE'S OTHER JOBS THAT PARK, TOO.

SKY CTC'S CAMPUS.

THE GREEN RIVER EDUCATION COOPERATIVE WHO WORKS WITH OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT HAS A FACILITY THERE IN THE TRANS PARK.

AND THE ONE I'M PROUD OF IN CENTRAL WILSON AND I WORKED HARD ON IS THE VETERANS NURSING HOME COMING ON-LINE HOPEFULLY THIS DECEMBER.

STATE-OF-THE-ART $60 MILLION NURSING FACILITY FOR VETERANS RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE FOUGHT AND WORKED FOR NOW GOING ON 14, 15 YEARS.

BUT THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THAT TRANS PARK.

A LOT OF GREAT JOBS.

A LOT OF GREAT MANUFACTURING GOING ON.

BUT IT GOES MORE THAN MANUFACTURING.

LIKE I SAID, THE OTHER FACILITIES THAT ARE THERE AND THAT IS THE PAST THAT WE BUILT OUR FOUNDATION ON.

AND NOW WE'VE GOT A NEW GENERATION WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS AS WELL.

>> Renee: SENATOR WILSON YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR A LOT OF THIS AS WELL?

>> I ACTUALLY SERVE AS THE SENATE MAJORITY WHIP WHICH PUTS ME IN SENATE LEADERSHIP.

AND THAT'S A DIFFERENT POSITION TO BE IN, BECAUSE I AM ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE OF THE BUDGET.

SO WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, AT THE VERY END, THE LAST PEOPLE THAT SEE THE BUDGET ARE US.

IT IS THE SENATE LEADERSHIP AND ALSO THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP PLUS THE TWO CHAIRS OF A AND R. AS WE GO THROUGH THAT, I CAN ALWAYS ADVOCATE TO MAKE SURE OUR THINGS THAT TAKE CARE OF OUR AREA ARE IN THE BUDGET.

AND SO THAT'S I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO DO THAT AND TO BE THAT SPOKESPERSON FOR THAT.

>> Renee: LAST BUT NOT LEAST SHERRY MURPHY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU IN BOWLING GREEN FROM CORVETTES TO CAVES TO SPLASHING AROUND AT BEECH BEND YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT IN BOWLING GREEN AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT TOURISM HAS ON THE OVERALL ECONOMY OF THIS AREA.

>> THE TOURISM ECONOMY HERE IN BOWLING GREEN AND WARREN COUNTY IS VERY STRONG AND GROWING.

I THINK FOR A COMMUNITY OF OUR SIZE WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE NUMBER OF ATTRACTIONS, DESTINATION ATTRACTIONS.

AND THE INTEREST VARY ACROSS THE BOARD.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT MAKES WARREN COUNTY STAND OUT.

IS THAT THERE'S SOMETHING TRULY FOR EVERYONE HERE.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR MOTOR SPORTS WHICH TRULY MAKES WARREN COUNTY AS FAR AS COMPARISON TO THE OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE, WE REALLY FOCUS ON MOTOR SPORTS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THOSE MOTOR SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS AND YOU CANNOT SAY THAT A LOT OF OTHER COMMUNITIES DO THAT AS WELL OR AS MUCH AS WARREN COUNTY DOES.

WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THAT AREA.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS $480 MILLION ANNUALLY THAT WE CAN ATTRIBUTE TO VISITORS COMING INTO WARREN COUNTY AND SPENDING THEIR DOLLAR HERE AND THAT MAKES US HAPPY.

>> Renee: JOB WISE WHAT ARE THOSE NUMBERS LIKE?

>> JUST IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WE EMPLOY 4,000 FOLKS HERE.

WHICH THEN IN TURN CREATES THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE BACK END FROM PAY THAT GOES BACK INTO THE ECONOMY AND REGENERATES FROM THERE.

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE.

>> Renee: ANY CHALLENGES FACING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY THAT YOU ARE CONFRONTING NOW?

>> WELL, WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY ONE THING WE'VE REALLY FOCUSED ON AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF OVERCOMING IS HAVING AN OFFICE THAT REPRESENTS TODAY'S BOWLING GREEN.

SO OUR NEW FACILITY IS ALMOST OPEN.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE AT THAT TIME OPERATION ALIBI THE END OF THE YEAR WE ARE PROUD OF THAT.

BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE VISITORS DO COME TO SEE US AND WE PROVIDE A LOT OF INFORMATION SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO PHYSICALLY WALK IN THE BUILDING THEY CAN GET THE INFORMATION THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AND OTHER MEANS THAT WE PUT OUT THERE TO COLLECT THAT INFORMATION EASILY.

BUT THE FOLKS THAT DO COME INTO THE OFFICE, WE WANT TO REALLY SHOW OFF OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THAT THEY KNOW WHEN THEY STOP THIS IS GOING TO BE A SAFE COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL PLACE TO STAY OVERNIGHT AND IT WILL HAVE TONS OF ACTIVITIES FOR SINGLE FOLKS, MARRIED, CHILDREN, WHO JUST THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE HERE.

AND THAT REALLY, I THINK, IS OUR MAIN DRIVER FOR TOURISM IS THAT WE OFFER SOMETHING TO EVERYONE.

AND THEN OUR ATTRACTIONS ARE HOMEGROWN.

THESE AREN'T COOKIE CUTTER ATTRACTIONS THAT COME INTO THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU CAN GO ELSEWHERE AND FIND.

THE FOLKS THAT RUN OUR ATTRACTIONS STARTED HERE WITH AN IDEA AND GROWN THEIR PRODUCTS INTO DESTINATION ATTRACTIONS.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE NEXT BIG IDEA WHEN IT COMES TO TOURISM?

>> WE HAVE A FEW THINGS IN THE PIPELINE WE'RE DISCUSSING.

WE ALWAYS TALK QUALITY OF LIFE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TOURISM.

BECAUSE TOURISM IT DOESN'T TOUCH OUR VISITORS BUT ALSO THAT FIRSTHAND SHAKE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR A LOT OF FUTURE RESIDENTS.

WE WANT PEOPLE HERE.

WE WANT THEM TO COME AND LIVE HERE AND SHARE IN THE PROSPERITY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SO WE REALLY WANT TO CONSTANTLY PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND SHOW PEOPLE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE HERE.

WE JUST HAD A WONDERFUL CAR EVENT, THIS PAST WEEKEND, AND WE GAVE OUT A PROCLAMATION THANK YOU MAYOR AND JUDGE, THAT THEY ARE NOW DECLARING THAT THEY ARE HAVING THEIR HOME HERE.

AND AS WE WERE LEAVING DRIVING OUT IN GOLF CARTS BACK TO OUR CARS SOME OF THE MEMBERS IN THE CROWD SAID WE LOVE IT HERE.

AND THERE WAS ANOTHER GENTLEMAN THAT SAID I'M THINKING ABOUT MOVING HERE.

AND THAT INSTANTLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT TOURISM IS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S SHOWING OFF YOUR COMMUNITY, SHOWING THE WONDERFUL QUALITY OF LIFE THAT IS CREATED HERE.

AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE HAPPY IN THEIR CURRENT SITUATION WHAT IT COULD BE LIKE IF THEY WERE TO MOVE HERE.

>> Renee: OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL WEEKS AND MONTHS EVEN, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING AND THAT IS WHAT CAN BGB AND THERE IS A GREAT INITIATIVE TO GAUGE THE COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO WHAT THEY ENVISION BOWLING GREEN AND WARREN COUNTY BEING ABOUT AND LOOKING ABOUT AND LOOKING LIKE AND WHAT TO AVOID AS IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND PROGRESS.

AND HERE'S A STORY ABOUT WHAT BG CAN BE BY 2050.

[♪♪] >> HOW CAN WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE RATHER THAN JUST LET IT HAPPEN AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS?

>> THAT WAS THE QUESTION ON DOUG GORMAN'S MIND FOLLOWING A PLANNING SESSION FOR THE 2017 TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.

>> AFTER WAFERREDS I SPOKE WITH A PERSON AND I SAID I'M FROM BOWLING GREEN IN WARREN COUNTY AND YOU WILL BE WELL OVER 200,000 PEOPLE BY 2050.

>> THAT GOT GORMAN THINKING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES IT COULD POSE AS FAR AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAFFIC.

>> I WANTED TO THINK ABOUT HOW CAN WE PLAN FOR THIS GROWTH AND RATHER THAN HAVING IT HAPPEN TO US.

>> YOU CAN'T BUILD A FUTURE THAT YOU HAVE NOT IMAGINED FIRST.

>> HE CONNECTED WITH SAM FORD AT INNOVATION ENGINE TO MANAGE THE PROJECT.

>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO LOOK LIKE WHEN WE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER TOWN AND REGION AND HOW DO WE START BUILDING FOR THAT?

THIS THING TOOK OFF.

>> WITH TECH SUPPORT FROM GOOGLE THEY LED A MONTH LONG ON-LINE CAMPAIGN WHAT COULD BG BE?

>> WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE LARGEST TOWN HALL IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA.

>> THAT COLLECTED 4,000 IDEAS FOR BOWLING GREEN, WARREN COUNTY'S FUTURE.

>> IF YOU WANT THE FUTURE WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU ARE GOING TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN DO.

>> THIS EFFORT HARNESSING THAT CREATIVITY SEEING A FUTURE WITH GREAT POTENTIAL.

>> THIS ISN'T A ROADMAP BUT IT IS A COMPASS.

>> RODNEY GOODMAN IS AMONG THE LISTENING PARTNERS THAT OFFERED INPUT AND SUPPORTS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE AGREED WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD AND LIVE AND WORK HERE.

>> AS A DIRECTOR FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GOODMAN SEES THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVERYDAY.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO UP OUR GAME TO BUILD MORE HOMES.

>> THE FINAL REPORT COMPILED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INDICATED A NEED FOR STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY AND SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE CAN'T BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF THIS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE CITY AND NONPROFITS AND ALSO BETWEEN PRIVATE INVESTORS AND OTHERS TO HELP BRIDGE THIS GAP TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> RYAN, HAS SEEN BOWLING GREEN'S GROWTH OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING DOWNTOWN MORE BUSINESSES MORE VIBRANT.

>> HE CAME TO WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY IN 2001 AND IS RAISING HIS FAMILY AT MAKING HIS CAREER IN BOWLING GREEN.

>> I WANT BOWLING GREEN TO HAVE ITS OWN IDENTITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT BOWLING GREEN AND SAY BOWLING GREEN IS ITS OWN THRIVING COMMUNITY.

>> HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BOWLING GREEN THAT WILL APPEAL TO HIS CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

>> THEY WON'T HAVE TO SEEK THEIR FORTUNES IN ANOTHER COMMUNITY BUT THEY WILL STAY HERE BECAUSE IT HAS ENOUGH ENTERTAINMENT, JOBS AND DIVERSITY.

>> MUCH OF THAT REFLECTED IN THE FINAL REPORT THAT GORMAN SAYS WORKED.

>> YOU CAN IMAGINE IF YOU HAD 5,000 PEOPLE ON A ZOOM CALL AND YOU WANT TO ASK ONE QUESTION THE CHAOS THAT WOULD ENSUE.

>> INSTEAD THIS EFFORT ALLOWED MORE THAN ONE MILLION RESPONSES TO THOUSANDS OF IDEAS WITH I ACLICK OF A BUTTON.

>> THE SURVEY WAS NOT AN END IT WAS THE BEGINNING.

>> THE INFORMATION RETURNS TO THOSE LISTENING PARTNERS DIVIDED INTO EIGHT GROUPS TO MOVE AHEAD WITH PLANNING.

>> THEY WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THESE, SEE WHAT ONES ARE FEASIBLE AND PRESENT A REPORT SO WE CAN START LOOKING AT THAT.

>> GORMAN EMPHASIZING THEY WILL NOT WAIT TO PUT THE PLANS INTO ACTION.

>> IT IS A DREAMING THING.

WE LIKE THINGS IN BOWLING GREEN MAYBE THEY SAY THAT BUT HERE IS WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE NEXT.

>> FOR KET I'M LAURA ROGERS.

[♪♪] >> Renee: THANK YOU, LAURA ROGERS, FOR THAT.

AND WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT BG CAN BE AND WHAT BG IS AND WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE MANY OF OUR PANELISTS WITH US WITH US AND WE'RE GLAD THEY ARE STAYING AROUND AND WE LIKE TO GIVE A WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT SHE IS WITH US.

THIS IS SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE PRESIDENT MICHELLE TRAWICK SHE IS HERE WITH US.

AND MIKE D'ERAMO PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF GRAVES GILBERT CLINIC.

WELCOME THEM WITH AN APPLAUSE ALONG WITH THE REST OF OUR PANEL.

[APPLAUSE] WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT WHAT BG CAN BE AND WHAT BG IS.

AND I WILL START WITH YOU YOU MICHELLE TRAWICK TO TALK ABOUT WE HAD A HARDY DISCUSSION ABOUT EDUCATION AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS AND HOW WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY PLAYED INTO DRIVING THE ECONOMIC PROGRESS OF THIS REGION.

TALK TO US ABOUT HOW SKY CTC WHICH YOU SAY FOR SHORT DOES TO HELP PROPEL THIS REGION FORWARD.

>> HAPPY TO DO THAT.

AS AN COMMUNIST BY TRAIN -- ECONOMIST BY TRAINING I'M FAMILIAR HOW TO LOOK AT THE WORKFORCE NEEDS AND IT RUNS THE GAMUT.

THERE ARE CLEARLY REQUIREMENTS, POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE FOUR PLUS YEARS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

I CHOSE TO PURSUE THAT PATH MYSELF.

BUT I ALSO KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHER WAYS TO FULFILL INDIVIDUAL PROSPERITY, CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND AT SKY CTC WE ARE FOCUSED ON ALL HELPING TO CREATE A LOW COST ALTERNATIVE FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE STUDENTS WHO ENTER THE WORKFORCE FROM THAT POINT AND WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH WKU AND OTHER FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS BUT THEY GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT WKU.

AND CREATING SEAMLESS TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO GET THAT FOUR YEAR DEGREE IF THAT IS PART OF THEIR CAREER PATH.

HAVING SAID THAT, IF THE WORKFORCE NEEDS FALLS MORE ALONG THE LINES OF FORKLIFT OPERATORS, WELDERS, MACHINISTS, SAFETY OFFICERS, WE ALSO HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

AND FRANKLY, IT'S NEEDED FOR ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORK.

I KNOW WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT MANUFACTURING.

MANUFACTURING JOBS ARE OFTEN VERY HIGH PAY.

AND IT'S NOT THE FACTORY WORK THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE IN THEIR HEAD IT IS A DIFFERENT WORLD.

IT'S CLEAN AND ORGANIZED.

IT'S HARD WORK.

BUT IT IS NOT THE FACTORIES THAT WE MAY HAVE SEEN IN THE 50s.

SO IT IS A GREAT CAREER PATH FOR MANY PEOPLE.

BUT THOSE FACTORIES ALSO REQUIRE FOLKS WHO HAVE SKILLS THAT OFTEN ARE NEEDED FOR FOUR YEAR DEGREES WHETHER IT IS A CPA WORKING IN A BUSINESS OFFICE.

FILLING OUT POSITIONS WHETHER YOU ARE ECONOMIC GROWTH IS MANUFACTURING OR BIOTECH, YOU WILL STILL IN A BIOTECH HAVE NEEDS FOR FOLKS WHOSE CREDENTIALS DO NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A PH.D.

IN BIOTECHNOLOGY.

THEY MAY REQUIRE FORKS WHO HAVE ROBOTICS EXPERTISE THAT THEY LEARN FROM SKY CTC.

WE AS AN INSTITUTION ARE FOCUSED ON ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION KNOWING THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY IS ALL HANDS ON DECK.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US.

OUR UNIVERSITY PARTNERS, OUR R TWO-PARTNERS, THE R1 PARTNERS FURTHER OUT IN THE STATE THAT RED ONE SOMETIMES.

THOSE ARE PARTNERS WITH US FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH.

AND WE'RE PLOWED TO TALK TO OUR LEARNERS ABOUT WHAT THOSE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE.

>> Renee: GO AHEAD.

>> IMPORTANT AND THE OTHER PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CHAMBER FOR EXAMPLE.

WITH OUR HOSPITALS.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WHO ARE MAYBE ON A MORE FRONT END TO THE WORKFORCE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, ARE AHEAD OF GAME.

THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING SO RAPIDLY, THAT THROUGH THOSE PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH THAT INFORMATION, WE GET THROUGH THOSE PARTNERSHIPS WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROGRAMMING THAT MEETS THAT NEED.

AND IS A TWO-YEAR INSTITUTION WE ARE TYPICALLY MORE AGILE THAN THE LARGE HE HAVE FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS AT MEETING THAT LOW LEVEL, EARLY ENTRY NEED.

>> Renee: I WAS GOING TO ASK TALK ABOUT -- >> I'M EXCITED.

>> WE LOVE YOUR INNOVATION ON THIS.

HOW ARE YOU COLLABORATING WITH FOLKS EXECUTIVES LIKE Mr. MIKE D'ERAMO TO MAKE SURE IN THE HEALTHCARE IN HEALTHCARE NEEDS ARE NOT GOING TO DIMINISH THEY ARE GOING TO AMPLIFY WITH AN AGING POPULATION.

WHERE IS IT YOU SEE THE GREATEST NEED AND WHERE ARE YOU ANSWERING THAT CALL?

>> OUR BIG PUSH RIGHT NOW IS IN NURSING.

ALONG WITH WKU AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE TRYING TO MEET THAT NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AS OUR COMMUNITY'S AGED, THE NEED FOR HEALTHCARE IT HAS MULTIPLIED.

AND ALL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES THAT GO WITH THAT.

WE HAVE RESPIRATORY TECH WE HAVE SURGICAL TECHS, RAIDOGRAPHY AT SKY CTC.

YOU MULTIPLY EVERY INDIVIDUAL GOING IN FOR SOME SORT OF SURGERY OR SERVICE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE TOUCH POINTS.

AND SO WE ARE WORKING WITH GREENVIEW REGIONAL HOSPITAL, WITH THE MED CENTER, WITH TJ SAMPSON AND WORKING WITH THE MAJOR INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH GRAVES GILBERT TO AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT BY PROVIDING INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CO-OP MODELS, CLINICAL TIME, LAB SPACE, SCHOLARSHIP MONEY, FUNDING FOR MATERIALS, FUNDING FOR TOOLS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT.

SO IT'S AT ALL LEVELS.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT THE STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.

YOUR STUDENT POPULATION THAT YOU ARE SERVING AND HOW THAT IS TRENDING?

>> WE'RE GROWING.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO HEAR.

WHEN YOU SEE SO MUCH OF THE POPULATION IN THE U.S.

THE UNIVERSITY POPULATIONS TWO YEAR AND FOUR YEARS EXPERIENCING ENROLLMENT DECLINES.

THE GROWTH WE SEE IS PRIMARILY, I BELIEVE, BEING DRIVEN BY THE ECONOMIC IMPACT WORK THAT OF THE FOLKS WHO HAVE COME BEFORE ME.

AND THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY Dr. CABONI AND Mr.

BUNCH OUR HEALTHCARE LEADERS AND POLITICAL LEADERS.

Dr. KNEEL PRESIDENT OF SKY CTC IS HANDS ON DECK CREATING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

SO WE'VE GOT AT THIS POINT, ABOUT A 12.5% INCREASE IN CREDIT SEEKING LEARNERS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER THAT IS EXCITING FOR US.

>> Renee: ENROLLMENT IS TRENDING UPWARDS?

>> IT IS.

IT IS.

I'M ALSO AN ECONOMIST I KNOW THAT TRENDS CAN BE MISLEADING.

WE ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FALL SEMESTER.

>> Renee: WE'LL CHECK BACK WITH YOU ON THAT.

Mr. MIKE D'ERAMO THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US WITH GILBERT CLINIC TALK TO US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU DO AT THE CLINIC IN TERMS OF OFFERING HEALTHCARE SERVICE PREVENTATIVE AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT THAT HELPS CREATE A THRIVING WORKFORCE THAT IS A HEALTHY WORKFORCE?

>> YEP, GRAVES GILBERT CLINIC IS IN A UNIQUE POSITION OUR JOB AS A GO OF INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS AND OUTPATIENT FACILITY OUR JOB IRONICALLY IS TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

HOW DO I KEEP THE WORKFORCE HEALTHY THE STUDENTS HEALTHY?

AND OUR MEDICARE PATIENTS HEALTHY?

AND IT'S YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT VALUE BASED CARE.

BUT IF YOU'VE BEEN IN HEALTHCARE AS LONG AS I HAVE, YOU WATCH THE EVOLUTION OF IDEAS.

30 YEARS AGO, WHAT WE USED TO CALL VALUE BASED CARE.

>> Renee: WHICH MEANS WHAT?

>> THAT IS PART OF THE EVOLUTION.

SO WHERE WE TALK ABOUT VALUE BASED CARE, OR ACCOUNTABLE CARE OR PAY FOR PERFORMANCE PAY FOR QUALITY DISTILLS DOWN TO SIMPLE PREMISES.

IT'S HOW DO I LOWER THE COST AND RAISE THE QUALITY?

I MEAN IF YOU LOOK AT THAT RATIO WHAT IS VALUE I WILL NOT HAVE THE ECONOMIST TALKING ABOUT IT.

IT'S QUALITATIVE.

BUT THAT IS THAT CORE DEFINITION.

I'VE LOWERED THE COST AND RAISED THE QUALITY.

AND GREAT EXAMPLE IS PICK ONE, HIP REPLACEMENTS.

WHEN I STARTED AS A RESEARCH TECH HENRY FORD HOSPITAL 40 YEARS AGO, THE MOST HORRIFIC SURGERY EVER WATCHED WAS A HIP REPLACEMENT.

I AM A TWO-TIME RECIPIENT OF HIP REPLACEMENT I HAVE THIS IMAGE IN MY HEAD AND THAT WOULD BE A LENGTHY SURGERY A TWO-WEEK STAY IN HOSPITAL, MONTHS OF REHABILITATION.

FAST FORWARD FOUR DECADES LATER, I GET MY HIP REPLACEMENT.

HE HAS BEEN IN THE BED FOUR HOURS IT'S TIME YOU START WALKING AROUND AND BOOM, BOOM.

IN AND OUT.

YOU'RE WALKING.

AND TO THINK THAT EVOLUTION IS REALLY MY DEFINITION IS THE VALUE TRANSITION OF TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND HEALTHCARE COST INNOVATION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A TWO-WEEK HOSPITAL STAY WITH MONTHS OF REHABILITATION IS NOW YOU ARE WALKING OUT OF THERE.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT YOUR WORKFORCE NEEDS.

AND THIS PIGGY BACKS ON WHAT THE PRESIDENT WAS TALKING ABOUT BEING A FEEDER TO HELP YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED AND DO YOU HAVE IT?

>> IT'S A TOP TO BOTTOM ISSUE.

HEALTHCARE IN BOWLING GREEN IS STRESSED.

THE QUESTION I ASK MY PHYSICIANS IS ARE WE KEEPING UP WITH THE NEED?

AND THE ANSWER IS NO.

THE ANSWER IS NO.

I MEAN, YOU WATCH THE EVOLUTION OF A COMMUNITY OF THE CHAMBER OF UNIVERSITY, AND THEY ARE ALL ON THE GREAT GROWTH TRAJECTORIES.

AND OUR QUESTION IS HOW DO WE MEET THIS NEED?

AS WE LOOK AT OUR CARE PROVIDER TOP TO BOTTOM, START WITH THE PHYSICIAN THERE IS A LOT OF STRESS ON WHERE PHYSICIAN CAN GO.

THEY CAN NAME THEIR LOCATION.

YOU ARE AN ENT, FAMILY PHYSICIAN, YOU CAN NAME YOUR SPOT.

WHY BOWLING GREEN?

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR US.

HOW COULD I GET A YOUNG PHYSICIAN TO ENTRENCH THEMSELVES IN BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION?

>> IT IS A LOT OF ANSWERS.

AND WE LEVERAGE THE GROUP YOU SEE IN THE ROOM.

WE HAVE THIS GREAT TOWN.

WE HAVE THE NUMBER ONE CHAMBER.

WE ARE A UNIVERSITY TOWN.

AND IT WORKS.

AND IT WORKS FOR A PHYSICIAN'S TRAINING IN NEW JERSEY OR LOS ANGELES.

THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THEM HERE.

MY HOSPITAL PARTNERS AND I ALL SUFFERED FROM HIGH PHYSICIAN TURNOVER.

AND YOU ARE ASKING YOURSELF WHY?

YOU ARE GETTING A LOT OF STRESS.

THAT NATIONAL POLL THAT LOUISVILLE, LEXINGTON AND WHEN I SAY DO MY AD HOC INTERVIEWS I SAY SO WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR KARENDERED?

I HAD MY HIP REPLACEMENT IN NASHVILLE AND BREAST CARE IN LOUISVILLE AND MY CHILD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

OKAY.

AND THE ANSWER ALWAYS BOILS DOWN TO THE SAME THING IT WAS EITHER I DIDN'T RESOURCE WASN'T HERE.

I LIKE MY DOCTOR BUT THEY HAD AN INSTITUTE THEY HAD A PROGRAM AND SO WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT OURSELVES MORE THAN TRANSACTIONAL HEALTH.

AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS THAT KEEP BOWLING GREEN IN BOWLING GREEN.

GRAVES GILBERT HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE.

AS I WATCH MY NEIGHBORS MY FRIENDS MY CONSUMERS GO ELSEWHERE FOR CARE, OR THINK OKAY WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO PERHAPS TO BRING THAT HIGH SPECIALTY CARE TO BOWLING GREEN?

WE'VE REACHED OUT TO PARTNERS IN NASHVILLE AND PARTNERS IN LOUISVILLE LIKE A NORTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HOW DO WE GET THEM ENTRENCHED HERE?

WHEN I CONFESS YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM JOIN THEM BUT IN A WAY WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GET A PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGIST.

CAN I BORROW ONE AND THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY.

WE'LL PUT THAT PHYSICIAN IN BOWLING GREEN.

MOM AND CHILD DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE TO LOUISVILLE EVERY TIME THEY HAVE AN APPOINTMENT.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR ROLE SHOULD BE IN HELPING?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IS HOW DO WE WORK AT THE SPEED OF BUSINESS WE HAVE TO BE FASTER AND BETTER AND WE GOT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR WORKFORCES.

AND HEALTHCARE IN PARTICULAR I'M REMINDED OF THE RN TO BSN PROGRAM.

150 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN A YEAR, YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

OUR DPT PROGRAM DOCTOR OF 23EUZ CAL THERAPY AND THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY MEDICAL CENTER PRODUCING DOCTORS HERE IN BOWLING GREEN.

AND DOING IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY STAY IN BOWLING GREEN.

IT'S EASIER TO KEEP SOMEONE THAN ATTRACT SOMEONE.

THE REALITY IT IS A PARTNERSHIP.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WITH ALL OF THE HEALTHCARE PARTNERS IN THE REGION.

I WILL SAY AS A COMMUNITY, WE BELIEVE THAT WE'RE OBVIOUSLY A PLACE ON THE RISE.

BUT WE'VE GOT TO STAY AHEAD OF THAT CURVE.

AND ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT IS MAKING SURE WE CREATE THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE NECESSARY AND THOSE ARE A LIST OF A FEW OF THEM AND HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE TO COME HERE AND CHANGE WHAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING.

WE HAVE FOLKS THAT COME AND WANT TO STUDY BIOLOGY.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT LOOK AT THIS JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU HERE IN BOWLING GREEN IF YOU TOOK A FEW MORE YEARS I HAVE A JOB THAT WOULD BE GUARANTEED AND SOME OF OUR PARTNERS ARE INVESTING IN PAYING FOR THAT TUITION WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT YOU WILL WORK FOR US.

>> Renee: PRESENT MICHELLE TRAWICK K-12 AND TALK ABOUT GROWING YOUR OWN.

IF YOU CAN GET THEM IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM AND THEN IT BECOMES A FEEDER TO YOU AND HOPEFULLY THEN THEY CAN GO ON TO HIGHER HEIGHTS AND OTHER HEIGHTS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARING DOING TO PARTNER WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> I'M HAPPY TO.

AND IT IS A MULTIPRONGED ATTACK AND IT MAKES SENSE.

WE OFFER DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES AND INVESTED A LOT IN THAT RECENTLY.

IN FACT, IF A STUDENT TAKES AT LEAST NINE HOURS OF SKY CTC DUAL CREDIT WITH A B AVERAGE OR HIGHER THEY QUALIFY FOR A $5,000 PER YEAR SCHOLARSHIP AT SKY CTC AND CAN FINISH AND GET THEIR ASSOCIATES DEGREE WITH ZERO DOLLARS AND BE READY TO LAUNCH IF THEY WANT THAT FOUR-YEAR DEGREE AT WKU WITHOUT STUDENT DEBT THAT HAS BEEN ATTRACTIVE WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DUAL CREDIT ENROLLMENTS TRANSITIONING TO SKY CTC.

PURSUING TRADITIONAL TWO PLUS TWO TYPES OF PROGRAMS.

BUT WE'RE ALSO SEEING DUAL CREDIT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GOING INTO MORE OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND TRADES PROGRAMS AS WELL.

IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING THEIR ATTENTION OF THE STUDENTS.

THE OTHER THING WE'RE DOING IS PARTNERING WITH THE IMPACT CENTER.

>> Renee: TALK TO US ABOUT THE IMPACT CENTER.

>> WE WILL HAVE FACULTY IN PLACE WITH THE IMPACT CENTER.

SO DUAL CREDIT WILL BE DELIVERED BY OUR FACULTY IN THAT SPACE TO MEET THE MISSION OF THAT CENTER.

AND I'D BE WILLING TO BET THERE ARE FOLKS IN THE PANEL WHO ARE MORE EXPERIENCED WITH THE RHETORIC AROUND THE IMPACT CENTER.

>> Renee: SURE.

SURE.

>> I'M STILL NEW TO TOWN.

AND IT'S BEEN SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF.

I DEFER.

>> Renee: THIS OPENS IN AUGUST OF 2026, CORRECT, AND IT STARTS WITH GRADES 7-9 THERE ARE FIVE ACADEMIES AND MORE THAN A DOZEN PATHWAYS MAYBE 15 OR 16.

REPRESENTATIVE DO YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THE IMPACT CENTER?

>> THE IMPACT CENTER IS GOING TO BE A NEW HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN WARREN COUNTY THAT WILL FEED FROM THE OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY.

IT WILL NOT BE ITS OWN DISTRICTED AREA BUT FEEDS STUDENTS INTO IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE FIRST FRANKLIN COUNTY LEADERSHIP HIGH SCHOOL IN THE WORLD.

AND THEY HAVE SOME VERY IMPRESSIVE PARTNERSHIPS.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT THEY HAVE SIGNED ON WITH, PARTNERSHIPS WITH WKU AND SKY CTC.

I KNOW STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, BE ABLE TO GET THAT TWO-YEAR BACHELOR'S, TWO-YEAR ASSOCIATES WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN TRANSITION INTO A TWO-YEAR BACHELOR'S PROGRAM AT WESTERN STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

WHICH IS GOING TO BE A GREAT TWO PLUS TWO PROGRAM.

CERTIFICATES THEY SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH IBM TO OFFER THEIR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN A.I., CYBERSECURITY AND A COUPLE OF OTHER TECH BASED ISSUES FIRST HIGH SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY AND MAYBE IN THE WORLD TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IT'S ABOUT AN $84 MILLION FACILITY THAT WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS FUNDED.

AND THEN THEY ARE SEEKING UP TO ABOUT A $10 MILLION APPROPRIATION FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RIGHT IN AND OUT THAT I HAVE TURNED IN AS A PART OF THAT PROCESS FOR THE EQUIPMENT.

OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THESE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT NURSING PROGRAMS ONE OF THOSE IN THE MEDICAL PATHWAYS THERE IS A LOT OF EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT THAT GOES INTO THAT, TOO.

SO THEY HAVE REQUESTED US TO LOOK AT THAT AS A BUDGET REQUEST AND I HAVE SUBMITTED THAT AND MIKE IS SUBMITTING IT ON THE SENATE SIDE AS WELL.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE NOT JUST SOMETHING GREAT FOR WARREN COUNTY, IT COULD BE A MODEL TO BE REPOPULATED AROUND THE STATE OF HOW WE GET STUDENTS CONNECTED TO WORKFORCE, CONNECTED TO HIGHER EDUCATION, AT AN EARLY AGE AND ALSO TEACHING ALL THE PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP IN THE PROCESS AS WELL.

>> Renee: THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE.

THERE ARE OTHER SIMILAR ACADEMIES IN KENTUCKY THAT HAVE CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAMS BUT THIS IS UNIQUE IN THE LEADERSHIP PIECE.

SENATOR WILSON DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

>> AS FAR AS I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF TOURS AND BROUGHT PEOPLE TO TOUR THE IMPACT CENTER BECAUSE WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS GROUNDBREAKING NOT ONLY FOR KENTUCKY, I THINK, BUT NATIONALLY.

IT IS A NATIONAL MODEL.

AND YOU HAVE FRANKLIN CUBBY PARTNERING WITH YOU TO DO THAT LEADERSHIP PORTION IN THERE AND THAT IS WHAT WE FIND EMPLOYERS ARE TALKING TO US ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, THAT THE STUDENTS DON'T HAVE THESE GOOD SOCIAL SKILLS THAT WE USED TO LEARN AS KIDS WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP IN OUR FAMILY.

YES, MA'AM, NO MA'AM AND THOSE THINGS.

AND IT'S INCREDIBLE WHAT THEY DO.

AND WE'VE HAD THAT KIND OF IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS WORKING THROUGH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND NOW TO HAVE THIS IT'S INCREDIBLE.

I HAD A GIRL A FRIEND OF MINE SHE IS WITH SPACE FLORIDA RECENTLY TOURED THAT AND SHE HAS BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT BECAUSE THEY DO SPACE ACADEMIES ALL OVER FLORIDA.

AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO OTHER FOLKS THAT BECAUSE I WANT THEM TO SEE IT.

BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THE MORE WE CAN GET PEOPLE INVOLVED IN SEEING WHAT IS GOING ON HERE, THE MORE PARTNERSHIPS WE CAN DEVELOP FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THAT WILL BENEFIT NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY BUT OUR STATE AND OUR NATION.

>> Renee: RON BUNCH THIS HAS TO SOUND GOOD TO YOU, RIGHT?

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR THIS INITIATIVE.

>> IMPACT SCHOOL IS A CHERRY ON TOP.

WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO BE CONVENING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WITH OUR EDUCATION SECTOR FOR OVER A DECADE NOW.

OUR PRIVATE SECTOR HERE IS INVESTED $2.6 MILLION IN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BOWLING GREEN CITY SCHOOLS AND WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH CUBBY AT THE TABLE FOR ALL OF THAT.

AND THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF THAT WORK.

AND WE DIDN'T REALIZE IT BUT THE CUBBY ORGANIZATION WAS LOOKING AROUND THE WORLD FOR A PLACE TO DO THIS.

AND WHEN THEY GOT DONE LOOKING THEY SAID THE ONLY PLACE WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN IS IN BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE PITCH THAT LURED THEM?

>> WE DIDN'T MAKE A PITCH.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH US, AGAIN WE WERE WORKING WITH THEM ON PILOTING A MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM FOR YEARS ON BUILDING THIS MODEL THAT WE'VE HAD THIS GO TO CAREER MODEL.

AND WITH THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, WITH THE ONENESS THAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS IT'S WHEN THEY WEIGHED THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS THIS IS THE PLACE TO DO IT AND WE DIDN'T REALIZE IT BUT THEY CALL TO DO PROJECT 100 THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BRING 100,000 PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO SEE THE MODEL.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IS SPOT ON.

IT IS THAT SHOW PIECE FOR HOW WELL THE PRIVATE SECTOR WORKS WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND WORKS WITH OUR LEGISLATORS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

AND LIKE THEY'VE SAID WE WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH OTHERS.

IT HELPS CHILDREN DISCOVER WHAT THEY CAN BE AND TO BE A LEADER IN EVERY FACET OF THEIR LIFE.

AND THAT IS CHANGING.

THAT WILL CHANGE LIVES AND CHANGE FAMILIES.

AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Renee: Dr. CABONI?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE TAKE PRIDE IN AS A UNIVERSITY IS TAKING KNOWLEDGE AND PUTTING IT INTO ACTION AND TAKING IDEAS AND MAKING THEM USEFUL.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE IN HIGH SCHOOL COMING ON OUR CAMPUS GETTING TO PLAY WITH THINGS, TOUCH THINGS THAT THEY COULD DO AS A CAREER.

AND TO WATCH THEM AND UNDERSTANDING THIS CAN BE FUN FOR ME LONG-TERM.

SO I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A COMMUNITY.

LOOK, WE APPRECIATE YOU THINKING AND KNOW WHAT THIS IS BUT COME TOUCH IT AND EXPLORE IT MORE DEEPLY WITH A COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS.

ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND WHAT IT MEANS TO DO WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE INTERESTED IN.

IT'S EXCITING INSTEAD OF SITTING IN A LAB SOMEWHERE THEY SEE WOW, I CAN HAVE A LIFE DOING SOMETHING NOT JUST MEANINGFUL BUT FUN AND EXCITING.

>> Renee: FROM THEORY TO APPLICABILITY.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUDGET REQUEST FOR THIS AND SENATOR WILSON ARE YOU WILLING TO PUSH IT ON THE SENATE SIDE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Renee: THE DOLLAR AMOUNT?

>> $10 MILLION.

>> Renee: WILL THAT BE ENOUGH?

>> AT THIS POINT IN TIME WE THINK IT IS.

>> I WILL ASK THE PRINCIPAL TO GIVE ME HIS EQUIPMENT LIST.

>> Renee: IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD NUMBER.

AS WE NEAR THE END OF OUR PROGRAM WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING A PART OF IT.

I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE POLICY THAT COULD COME FROM FRANKFORT NEXT SESSION WHICH IS A BUDGET SESSION, A LONG SESSION, 60 DAYS THAT PARTICULARLY OTHER THAN WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT CENTER COULD FOCUS HERE IN THIS REGION.

WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE TO PRESENT TO YOUR COLLEAGUES?

>> WELL, I'M TAKING REQUESTS RIGHT NOW AS I'M MEETING WITH DIFFERENT PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO I'M KEEPING A LIST OF ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

I DON'T HAVE IT READILY WITH ME.

BUT I'M MAKING SURE THAT I REMEMBER ALL OF IT BY WRITING IT DOWN.

>> NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OBVIOUSLY IS THE IMPACT CENTER REQUEST THAT WE'VE PUT IN.

HOWEVER, THERE'S GOING TO BE OTHER SIGNIFICANT REQUESTS THAT WE PUT IN.

MOSTLY WITH DEALING WITH TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WHEN YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT IS GROWING AS FAST AS OURS, THOSE ROAD PRONGS WE HAVE TO KEEP THOSE MOVING CONTINUOUSLY AND WE'VE HAD SUCCESS WITH THAT.

THE HIGH GROWTH FUNDING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AUTHORIZED, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE AGAIN IN THIS PROCESS.

SO I THINK THOSE WILL BE MAJOR PRIORITIES FOR US IS MAKING SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR INFRASTRUCTURE MOVING WITH THE PACE OF THE GROWTH HERE.

>> Renee: AND SPEAKING OF INFRASTRUCTURE WE KNOW THIS AREA HAS BEEN BATTERED BY SEVERE WEATHER A FEW TIMES THIS YEAR.

SO WE KNOW THERE IS A SPECIAL FUND FOR THAT AND IF YOU LOOK AND THINK ABOUT WELL IT'S NOT JUST THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE THAT YOU ENDURE BUT IT'S THE POTHOLE THAT APPEARS SIX MONTHS LATER AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

ARE YOU PREPARED OR IS THE BUDGET PREPARED TO HANDLE HOW IT IS NOW?

OR DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN APPROPRIATION TO DEAL WITH THE ROAD ISSUES THAT COULD COME FROM THE SEVERE WEATHER?

>> WE DID ABOUT $2.8 BILLION ONE TIME FUNDING LAST TIME WE DID THIS.

IT WAS ALL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT WAS AS MICHAEL SHARED, WE DID ABOUT $450 MILLION FOR THE GROWTH AREAS FOR THE ROAD FUNDS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND I THINK WE'RE APPROACHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CLOSE TO $4 BILLION IN THE RAINY DAY FUND.

IT IS A BUDGET RESEARCH TRUST FUND.

AND I KNOW, I KNOW.

BUT SO THE BUDGET RESERVE TRUST FUND WE WOULD LIKE TO DO ANOTHER, IT'S LIKE ONE TIME FUNDING IT GOES TO THE ROADS AND IT GOES TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

WATER AND SEWER AND ALL OF THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LIVE IN A COMMUNITY LIKE THIS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GROWING TOO AS WELL.

INFRASTRUCTURE IS HUGE.

SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL LOOK INTO AND SEE IF WE CAN DO MORE.

>> Renee: YOU WANT TO SHARE YOUR BUDGET REQUEST.

>> I MIGHT HAVE A LIST.

WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS DELEGATION IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN HELPFUL ARTICULATING OUR NEEDS AND WHAT WE NEED AT THE UNIVERSITY TO CONTINUE THIS GROWTH.

THANK YOU FOR THE PERFORMANCE FUNDING.

WE WOULD LIKE IT AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR ASSET PRESERVATION WE ARE TAKEN CARE OF OUR ASSETS AND WE NEED THAT AGAIN.

AND ONE OR TWO BUILDINGS THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO REPLACE LIKE THE SPECTACULAR NEW HOME TO THE GORDON FORD COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, AIM ANY AND DAVID CHANDLER ALL AND THE ACADEMIC COMPLEX AND CHERRY HALL AND THE FIELDHOUSE THERE ARE MORE PROJECTS THAT I SPEND A LOT OF MY TIME LIKE THIS IN FRANKFORT WE WILL DO THAT AGAIN.

>> IT'S MORE LIKE THAT.

>> Renee: PRESENT MICHELLE TRAWICK -- PRESIDENT MICHELLE TRAWICK?

I'M SHAKING IT WITH PRESIDENT QUARELS WHO HAS THE CONVERSATIONS ON MY BEHALF.

>> Renee: YOU WILL LET HIM CARRY THAT.

WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD CONVERSATION.

THANKS TO THE MAYOR FOR BEING HERE AND SHERRY MURPHY FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD CONVERSATION WE HAVE HAD A DELIGHTFUL WEEK HIGHLIGHTING THE GREAT WEEK IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY.

CAN YOU WATCH THOSE STORIES ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" 6:30 EASTERN, 530 CENTRAL MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

AND YOU HAVE BEEN WALKING "KENTUCKY TONIGHT", TONIGHT FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, PBS MY OLD STOMPING GROUNDS AND WE ARE GLAD YOU JOINED US.

UNTIL I SEE YOU