Support The Center’s youth programs on KY Gives Day
On May 14, you will have an opportunity to support The Center for Rural Development's Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers, and Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) on Kentucky Gives Day. Kentucky Gives Day is an online...
The Center for Rural Development receives KYSPRA Flag of Learning and Liberty Award
The Center for Rural Development recently received the Flag of Learning and Liberty Award from the Kentucky School Public Relations Association (KYSPRA). KYSPRA presents the Flag of Learning and Liberty Award every year to...
ELI – Day Three
Day three of our Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute! Our students began their day by practicing their business pitches. After lunch, students learned a little dancing! Our ELI Scholars did a bit of ballroom and jazz...
ELI – Day Two
Day two of our Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute! Students began their day with a 3D printing presentation from experts at Somerset Community College. ELI students also got the chance to speak with four entrepreneurs in...
ELI – Day One
Day one of our Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute! Ninth, tenth and eleventh-grade students are spending five days at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky. When students arrived at The Center for Rural...
Thank you to all our #ELI17 sponsors
We would like to thank all of our sponsors of our 2017 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI). Valuable sponsorship's like these help to make the program possible and impact the lives of our region's youth. Housing...
Apply for ELI
Have you ever thought about starting your own business? The Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) gives you the skills to turn an idea into a fully operational business venture in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. You’ll...
2016 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) graduating class
Four graduates of The Center’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) offered EKU Presidential Scholarships for innovative business idea An innovative business idea that will give iPhone users a safe, convenient way to...
ELI 2016 Announced
Twenty-two high school students will build their business and entrepreneurial skills at the 2016 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) at The Center The Center for Rural Development has selected 22 high school students...
ELI Winners Recognized with Regions Top Entrepreneurs
Members of the 2013 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute winning team were recognized on Monday, September 9 at The Center for Rural Development as part of the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards (EIEA) Luncheon. The...
ELI team earns EKU scholarships
A plan for a tourism-based business drafted by five graduates of The Center for Rural Development’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) program has earned each of these high school students an offer of a Presidential Scholarship from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. Winning team members in the 2013 ELI Business Concept Competition are Blake Blevins, Harlan […]
ELI students tour local plant
Members of the 2013 Class of Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) took a break from writing their business plans on Wednesday to tour Somerset Wood Products Inc. and see how a local manufacturing plant turns raw materials into quality hardwood flooring.
ELI team recognized
Members of the first-place winning team of The Center for Rural Development’s 2012 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) Business Concept Competition were recognized on Sept. 10 at a luncheon and awards presentation for the region’s top small business owners and entrepreneurs at The Center in Somerset. “Jam Good” team members and high school students Savanna Noe, […]
Youth Programs Reunion
Graduates of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers, and Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) summer youth leadership programs are invited to join their friends for a day of fun, food, and football on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the 2012 Youth Programs Reunion.