UK to host ‘Economic Development Across Kentucky’ May 28
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14, 2026) — The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) at the University of Kentucky will host its inaugural quarterly conference, “Economic Development Across Kentucky: Regional Perspectives from the Field,” 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at The Cornerstone.
“Kentucky is a large, diverse state, and what drives growth in Northern Kentucky looks very different from what Eastern or Western Kentucky needs,” said Jennifer Hunter, Ph.D., associate dean for UK Extension, director of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and EDC steering committee member. “What makes this convening impactful is that it puts those regional voices — business leaders, elected officials and economic development experts — in the same room to build a clearer picture of the whole Commonwealth.”
The conference will open with a statewide perspective and regional data overview from Alison Davis, Ph.D., who will highlight tools and resources from Blueprint Kentucky. The session will then feature mini presentations from economic development leaders representing regions across Kentucky, including:
- Lee Crume, president and CEO of BE NKY growth partnership, representing Northern Kentucky
- Jamie Bewley Byrd, Barren County judge-executive, representing Western Kentucky
- Mark Marsh, Owensboro Health CEO, representing Western Kentucky
- Brett Traver, Southeast Kentucky Economic Development executive director, representing Eastern Kentucky
A facilitated question-and-answer session will close the event with networking and refreshments to follow.
The EDC plans to host four conferences annually, with each gathering designed to highlight resources, strengthen campus connections and share insights from economic development experts. In addition to the conferences, the EDC will continue to support select projects that bolster economic development efforts at UK, including OneUK and Growing Our Own.
The May 28 conference is free and open to the UK community and the broader public. Registration is encouraged.
The event is part of the University’s Advancing Kentucky Together Network, a statewide partnership that unites UK’s research, service and learning capabilities with partners to co-create solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities and improve well-being across Kentucky.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.