What’s even better is that most Bell Countians don’t realize what an incredible feat this response was; they were simply doing their part to help ensure a positive future for our home. The truth of the matter is that some of the largest counties in Kentucky would be hard-pressed to match the number of people who were a part of our County-wide strategic planning initiative even once, yet alone twice over eight months.
As if the response itself wasn’t impressive enough, the day’s agenda started out with a joint proclamation between the governments of Bell County, Pineville and Middlesboro. The Proclamation involved all three entities opening a special called session simultaneously and each accepting the proclamation read by State Representative Rick Nelson. The proclamation simply stated that all three Governments support a joint initiative of moving Bell County to a brighter future, specifically through this strategic planning initiative. This was a historic event — one that is certainly unparalleled in Bell County’s history and one that I would challenge to be difficult to match in many States.
The rest of the day was just as exciting as members of our community participated in sharpening our community plan and charting a course for the next several months. At the end of the day, I shared the enthusiasm of everyone else in that I knew our great County had achieved something already. Even though we came together to develop our plan for the future, this event in itself was an incredible achievement. Lara Garkovich, the Summit’s moderator from the University of Kentucky, shared that when asked by other counties across Kentucky how to work together to move forward, she tells them to try to emulate Bell County; because they are the model in our region for forward progress. This is a huge compliment, and one that makes me even prouder to be a Bell Countian.
Also this past week, the Bell County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced their choice for the new Executive Director. As most are already aware, Nioma Lawson recently resigned as the Chamber’s Executive Director to be closer to her husband, who was transferred to Asheville, NC. Nioma left some very large shoes to fill; she had transformed the Chamber’s role and raised the bar for everyone that would follow after her.
After 20 applicants, two rounds of interviews and nearly two months of research and deliberations, Rob Lincks was named the Chamber’s new Executive Director. Rob is well known in our area as a hard working member of our community. He serves in many capacities, however is probably best known as a member of the Middlesboro City Council. Rob is also a life-long resident of Pineville which allows him the rare advantage of strong County-wide support. Rob has the experience, charisma and enthusiasm Bell County needs at this critical moment as we are drafting and implementing our county strategic plan. The role of the Chamber of Commerce reaches far and wide and beyond that of the strategic plan. Rob’s initial challenge will be introducing himself to the County and the responsibilities of the new Executive Director, while spearheading the County’s Strategic Planning initiative.
There is much work to be done and Rob has already hit the ground running, even though he has yet to officially begin his duties at the Chamber of Commerce. If you are one of the few that has not met Rob, you probably will soon as he begins to make his way around the County championing the cause for Bell County’s future.
If you have any questions about the Chamber of Commerce, how we can help you or your business or how you can join the campaign to brighten Bell County’s future, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 248-1075.
A Message from John Moore, President of the Bell County Chamber of Commerce.
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