EDC, Learning Community Form Partnership for P-16 Council

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. and The Learning Community have formed a partnership for continued support of the Regional Alliance for Education, the Owensboro area P-16 Council.

The Regional Alliance, which brings together leadership from area school systems, colleges, universities, early childhood, adult education, and workforce development with representatives from the business community each quarter, is one of the first and most active P-16 Councils (preschool through college/ grade 16) recognized by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

Helen Mountjoy, former Executive Vice President of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. served as the Executive Director of the Regional Alliance until departing for Frankfort in December to serve as Secretary of the Education Cabinet for Governor Beshear. Dr. Fred Reeves served as the Interim Executive Director from January until May.

Tracy Marksberry, the Executive Director of The Learning Community will oversee all Regional Alliance programming with financial support from the EDC under the new partnership.

The EDC and Learning Community will advance a plan of work for Regional Alliance programs that will be released in more detail later in the year. The agenda will focus on the following three broad areas:

1. Building a strong foundation through early childhood education and literacy initiatives such as the Imagination Library;


2. Preparing high school students for 21st century success with emphasis on increased access and improved preparation for postsecondary education;


3. Developing a 21st century workforce, emphasizing life-long learning, internship programs, and increased opportunities for students to earn bachelor's and graduate degrees in Owensboro.
   

"Nearly all jobs of the future will require some postsecondary education," said EDC President/CEO Nick Brake. "The EDC, the Learning Community, and the Regional Alliance for Education will take the lead to champion higher education attainment by providing a consistent, unified voice to promote these goals and by supporting and implementing strategies for our region to GO-Higher"

The Learning Community is a grass-roots initiative to increase educational opportunities for residents of the region. The office is located at the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. Watch the Learning Community video here.