LEXINGTON, KY - It's a worst-kept-secret among Kentuckians that a historical feature of the Commonwealth is a sometimes ugly and often crippling urban-rural divide over any number of issues relating to public policy. Rural areas increasingly rely on shares of tax revenues generated by the state's urban economic engines, but Kentucky's city, small town and country folks often find themselves at odds and even suspicious of one another, politically and culturally.
That understanding is at the heart of a joint initiative by Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry and Commerce Lexington board chair Woodford Webb scheduled for mid-October that will take three busloads of Blue Grass regional leaders on a two-day goodwill tour of ten Eastern Kentucky communities from Irvine and Beattyville to Jackson and Hazard. "We recognize that thousands of Eastern Kentuckians travel into the Bluegrass Region daily to work, conduct business, shop and take advantage of the service industries that Central Kentucky provides," said a statement from the chamber. "Eastern Kentucky residents pump millions of dollars annually into Bluegrass Region's economy. Lawmakers from Eastern Kentucky consistently vote on issues pertaining to Central Kentucky and have provided millions of dollars in funding for vital road, water, sewer and education projects for our area."
The stated goal of the trip on October 12-13 is "to thank these neighbors, to learn from them, to show our respect and to show a true interest in their communities and not be there to ask them for anything. It will be a tribute to their importance to us," the statement noted.
Organizers said the itinerary of stops most likely will include county courthouses and downtowns; major industries such as mining; a mountain top reclamation site; schools, community colleges and vocational training facilities; state parks; cultural programs; community improvements projects; and signature natural scenery such as mountains, bridges, streams.
While Community Trust Bank has signed on as presenting sponsor, many other businesses also are stepping forward to help the chamber underwrite most of the costs of the excursion which will accommodate up to 60 regional leaders.
For more information about the Eastern Kentucky Appreciation Tour, contact Commerce Lexington Senior Vice President Lynda Brebowski at (859) 226-1611 or lbebrowsky@CommerceLexington.com