Kentucky’s Governor and state and regional economic leaders will be on hand at the first WAVE Confluence in far western Kentucky this month.
WAVE, or the Western Kentucky Alliance for a Vibrant Economy, is a four-county collaborative working to reverse job loss in Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton and Hickman Counties by promoting the area’s biggest resource: the Mississippi River.
Much of the discussion will focus on the Panama Canal expansion that is expected to increase local river traffic significantly.
The confluence will include panels and workshops consisting of local economic, political and business leaders discussing entrepreneurship, legislation and tourism issues in the potential change in the region.
During an agenda preview call Thursday, organizer Jonathan Miller says the Governor will open the conference, followed by a senior Obama administration official for river traffic.
“The administrator of the US Maritime Administration Paul N Jaenichen is committed to doing this," said Miller. "The senior Obama administration official for river traffic is joining us which, again, is a great great signal that this is something that not only the state is watching but the country is watching as well.”
Other key speakers include state Workforce and Education Cabinet Secretary Hal Heiner, Murray State's President Bob Davies and Dr. Tim Todd and State Senators Danny Carroll and Stan Humphries. Miller says US Senator Rand Paul and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes have expressed interested in closing speeches on one of the two days but have yet to confirm.
The confluence takes place October 24 and 25 at Columbus Belmont State Park. Miller says space is limited, so RSVP a space soon.