JCDA Brings "People Ready Leadership Program" to Jackson County

 Partnering with the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute at Berea College, the Jackson County Development Association brought The People Ready Communities Leadership Program to Jackson County. Interested citizens met at the Jackson County Public Library last Tuesday (March 11, 2025) to discuss the program. 

The program aims to develop leadership skills, explore tourism opportunities, and enhance community assets to foster a better life for everyone in Jackson County. This initiative will engage the community in addressing the issues that are crucial to a strong local economy. In Jackson County, the effort to become People Ready focuses on tourism development with the vision of creating a place where all can enjoy the historical, natural, cultural, and outdoor recreation opportunities that the county provides. 

 The People Ready Communities Program will engage a core team of individuals and a community project to put a shared vision into action. The Jackson County Development Association invites all interested individuals in Jackson County to join their ongoing efforts to enhance our community. "People Ready Communities offers an opportunity for us in Jackson County to bring a shared vision to life by working on a project aimed at improving our community." 

Jackson County Tourism, Director Greg Lakes reported, "A great group of volunteers at our beginning meeting of community development. Our project is to convert a vacant lot into a destination with wall murals and sculptures, that will put feet on the ground and in businesses in the City of Mckee. My challenge is to Sand Gap, Tyner, Gray Hawk, and Annville. What is your dream for your community and how can you take action to make your community an even better place for generating tourism dollars and beautiful destinations for the people of Jackson County? The vision is to start in our county seat with a win and to move on to our other communities. We can do this!!!" 

The next meeting will be Monday, March 24, at 6 pm at the Jackson County Extension Conference Center in Mckee, KY. This will be a working meeting for the selected project. Please come and bring a friend if you can.