Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute (Is this a program that your state might emulate?)

We’ve highlighted some of the ongoing entrepreneurship activities in Kentucky in past newsletters. The Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute (KECI) is an interdisciplinary endeavor of the Departments of Community and Leadership Development and Agricultural Economics located in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky.

From Rural Entrepreneurship News http://www.ruraleship.org

Funding for the KECI is provided by the KY Agriculture Development Board under the administration of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy. The primary objective of the KECI is to encourage the development of new business ideas and ventures in 19 tobacco dependent counties of Northeastern Kentucky. The program will grant 30 Fellowships each year (funding for 2 cohorts is available at this time).

These 30 Fellows will learn the skills and tools needed to be entrepreneurial coaches in their communities. For more on this innovative program, go to http://www.uky.edu/Ag/KECI/.