Posted 3/14/23


Representatives for UT Southern’s Rural Leaders program met at the Bedford County Courthouse Friday to hear updates on workforce development from the Shelbyville Bedford Partnership, Shelbyville’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology, and Bedford County Schools.

The group also made a visit to the Nearest Green Distillery where co-founder Keith Weaver gave a presentation on their workforce development.

The goal of the program is to create leadership that understands rural communities. The Turner Center for Rural Vitality at UT Southern’s Campus, created this nine-month program that blends county visits with on-campus learning from leadership experts.

Over nine months, participants will visit the 13 counties in Southern Middle Tennessee. In these meetings, they will examine a particular aspect of rural economic development, like industry, workforce development, social entrepreneurship and cultural assets.

To learn more about UT Southern’s Turner Center for Rural Vitality or to apply for the next UT Southern Regional Leadership cohort, visit utsouthern.edu/4424-2/.