Published: October 29, 2009 09:28 pm      

Local Briefs

KET documentary features Acres of Land Winery

Acres of Land Winery is featured in a new documentary premiering on KET on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 10:30 p.m.

The documentary, “Vintage Kentucky: The Vine to Wine Experience,” is a co-production of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council.

The Richmond winery is one of 10 wineries statewide featured in the half-hour film, which traces the state’s history as a wine producer from before Prohibition to the more than 50 wineries in operation today.



Event offers students chance to learn about health care programs

Madison Central High School will be hosting Central’s Medical Mayhem on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Students will have the opportunity to speak with area college and university health care programs. Exhibitors will be set up during parent/teacher night for students and parents. A Kentucky Higher Learning Education Assistance Authority representative will also be on hand to answer questions about financial aid.

Also at the event, students can register to win a free laptop computer. One laptop will be given away to a student from each grade.



Small Business Development Center at EKU has new director

Michael Rodriguez began his role as new director of the Small Business Development Center at Eastern Kentucky University on Oct. 19 after serving as a consultant for the SBDC at Morehead State University and spending several years as a restaurant franchise owner and operator.

Rodriguez also brings more than 10 years experience in health care management to his new position, including tenure with long-term care, hospitals, wound care clinics and community mental health agencies. He also has previous experience working in public accounting firms and school districts and has consulted with numerous businesses in eastern Kentucky including businesses in the agriculture, metal fabrication, printing and education industries.

Rodriguez earned his MBA from Morehead State University, said that his prior experience is a good fit for the SBDC, noting he served MSU as a consultant for nearly two years.

Offering services at no charge or minimal cost, the SBDC can help business owners and entrepreneurs in numerous ways: business start-up procedures, business and strategic plan development, financial resource development, management support, record management, accounting systems, governmental relations and marketing. This is accomplished through one-on-one consultations as well as training sessions throughout the service area on a variety of topics.

The SBDC at EKU is part of the Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology, an outreach service of the University’s College of Business & Technology, and is operated in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information, call (toll-free) 1-877-EKU-SBDC (358-7232) or visit www.sbdc.eku.edu.