On a local note, I attended the KHIC Energy Boot Camp Symposium on February 10, 2011. There were some great presentations from Boot Camp company participants explaining their contributions to Energy Solutions. In addition various speakers from the Kentucky Department of Business Development and the Kentucky Department of Energy Development promoted the value of entrepreneurship in renewable energy. The Keynote address by Greg Holladay, National Account Manager, Energy and Water Products, General Electric Corporation made us all want to purchase a new Geospring Hybrid Water Heater as well as a home energy manager.

Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation is a pioneer in development venture capital investing formed in 1968 to attack the War on Poverty in Southeastern Kentucky. According to their web-site , Kentucky Highlands, located in London, Kentucky, 25 miles south of Mount Vernon, has provided business funding to “in excess of 500 businesses with over $150 million in financing and helped create more than 10,000 jobs in our service area.”

Recently Kentucky Highlands opened its new Business Innovation & Growth Center. It is a 9600 square foot facility “where businesses can come to accelerate their growth”. Check out the announcement. As quoted in their brochure, the facility is also “A Silver LEED designed building constructed based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and is designated as a Green Building based on a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.” What can you expect from a company who has innovative programs such as Energy Boot Camp?

Of course, my favorite fact about Kentucky Highlands is the contribution of Mount Vernon’s own, Mr. Wayne Stewart who served as its chairman and a board member for 25 years. Mr. Stewart grew up with my father in the small community of Wildie, just north of Mount Vernon.

Thanks to Kentucky Highlands for the invite to the energy symposium. I enjoyed the speakers and the panel discussion about Entrepreneurship in Renewable Energy.

Kentucky Highlands is also providing an Entrepreneurial Training Program of five sessions over a 5 month time frame. Classes include subjects such as Business Taxation, Sales Strategies and Introduction to QuickBooks, an Intuit/Sage Solution. The first class was this morning so if you are interested in the programs, now is the time to act. Sign up and take advantage of this great offer.

You also might want to check out the Big Idea Competition. Kentucky Highlands is offering $30,000 in cash prizes to be awarded along with free office space in their new Business & Growth Center.

For business funding and venture capital, look to Kentucky Highlands to see if they can help.