About 130 people participated in the first-ever Upper Cumberland Economic Summit.
Wednesday concluded the two-day event held at Tennessee Tech. Putnam County Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Amy New said planning has already begun for the next conference.
“We would like to start doing this at a minimum once a year,” New said. “President Oldham was so impressed this morning after the first couple of panels. He was like let’s do this twice a year, three times a year. I think the next one would focus on workforce development.”
Economic Development was the focus of the inaugural event. Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham said he thought the session was a learning opportunity that many local leaders participated in.
“There’s a lot of effort, a lot of resources actually that go into economic development throughout the rural parts of the Upper Cumberland, but sometimes we don’t communicate real well with each other,” Oldham said. “That’s really what this summit is all about to help build those relationships.”
Many topics were discussed such as tourism, education and rural innovation. New said the funding and finance panel with TVA, USDA and the State Economic Community Development Department was one of her favorites.
“Because we have so many elected officials, and that was really the purpose of the timing too to be post election,” New said. “So that any new elected officials could come hear what our state, federal and local partners are doing.”
Oldham said he was proud that the university was able to host. Oldham said educating students is always a priority, but the university also serves the state to educate the population as a whole.
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