In a concerted effort to foster collaboration and cultivate a shared vision for the future, You Decide, Kentucky! (YDK!) was hosted by Somserset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) to orchestrate an intimate roundtable-style dialogue last week to discuss local revenue needs and proposed changes, bringing together influential regional leaders and elected officials. Held on Monday, July 17th, the purposeful session centered around the crucial topics of local revenue diversification and economic growth, with a focus on building support and consensus among key stakeholders.

The closed-door gathering provided an opportunity for a select group of leaders from around the region to engage in candid and constructive conversations. Emphasizing the significance of a collaborative and diverse approach, the roundtable aimed to provide information about YDK!’s educational efforts, uncover synergies, bridge perspectives, and identify specific revenue-code changes to drive sustainable economic progress for the entire community.

Participants delved into the following key areas during the dialogue:

Comprehensive Educational Update: YDK! educational approach to addressing the problem, opportunity, and solution of local revenue in Kentucky through building a broad-based coalition of support for change set the stage for information-sharing.

Identifying Shared Goals: Through open dialogue and active listening, attendees sought to identify common goals that aligned with the collective vision for the region’s economic growth.

Exploring Diverse Perspectives: The intimate setting encouraged participants to share their unique insights and perspectives, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities at hand.

Cultivating Supportive Alliances: Building upon areas of agreement, attendees explored opportunities for forging strategic alliances and partnerships to amplify their collective impact.

Nurturing Consensus-Driven Solutions: Through a consensus-driven approach, participants worked towards finding actionable solutions to promote local revenue diversification and foster sustainable economic growth.

The roundtable dialogue featured an atmosphere of mutual respect and common goals, allowing participants to delve deeply into the issues at hand. The shared commitment to local revenue diversification and economic growth highlighted the potential for collective action and unified progress. YDK! serving as the leading force behind driving information and education to all Kentuckians paves the way for amplifying the needs of the region in order to reach a better future.

One of the local needs highlighted as affordable housing. The Somerset-Pulaski County area reflects much of the nation’s dire need for housing that families across income ranges can access as the area grows – and as soon as possible. Funding is the first, if not the most important, step towards addressing that need.

YDK! will continue to work closely with participants to nurture the ideas and be an educating force regarding potential solutions generated during the dialogue as they continue their statewide work building support for a November 2024 constitutional amendment. The organization aims to build upon the consensus reached and lay the groundwork for a successful ballot referendum, unlocking the door to a Kentucky full of meaningful growth, benefiting all residents and stakeholders in the region and across the state.