RAY WELCH/Middlesboro Daily News Pictured at the presentation are, from left, 2012 Miss Redbud Trails Shelbie Pettey, TOUR SEKY Board Chairperson Susan Laws, Maggie Bill with TOUR SEKY, Bell County Tourism Director Judy Barton, and Jeff Crowe with TOUR SEKY.

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MIDDLESBORO – TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky (TOUR SEKY) announced its new “Redbud Certified Communities” program at the Redbud Garden Party held Friday in Middlesboro. The City of Middlesboro was chosen as one of the first communities to be certified and was presented with the Redbud Certification during the event.

The Certification was presented to Judy Barton, Bell County Tourism President/CEO.

The Redbud Certification Program is designed to encourage community pride and the facilitation of community Redbud programs to help increase tourism during Redbud Month, which is April, and to foster community partnerships.

TOUR launched the program with four communities that have gone above and beyond with their participation in the Redbud Trails Programs. All of the communities host a significant Redbud Month event and lead the way each year with Redbud seedling giveaways.

“The Redbud Certification Program allows us to recognize the hard work our communities put in to promoting Redbud month and their efforts to help jumpstart the spring tourism season,” said Maggie Bill, TOUR SEKY Community Outreach Specialist. “We are looking forward to expanding this exciting new program in the coming years.”

Barbourville, Berea and Mt. Vernon were also selected as Redbud Certified Communities. All counties in TOUR’s 47 county service region are eligible to apply for certification. The certification guidelines and applications are available by contacting Maggie Bill at 606-677-6093 or mbill@tourseky.com.

The Redbud Trails Program was created in 2004 and since its inception, nearly 500,000 Redbud trees and seedlings have been planted throughout Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

TOUR SEKY’s mission is to educate, expand, develop and market the existing and potential tourism industry throughout southern and eastern Kentucky, while contributing to the economic, cultural growth, health and awareness, and overall quality of life of the region.

For additional information about TOUR SEKY visit www.tourseky.com, or call 606-677-6093.