Relocation program

[Larrey Riddle]

Hi,
As someone who moved here and then started scratching my head trying to figure out how to make a living, I can verify that it ain't easy. However, I will tell you that it was the best move I've ever made. Place is important to me. I happen to like living in a beautiful place. While I was somewhat nervous about moving my daughter (who had always attended "good" suburban schools,) down here to start high school, four years later I can honestly say it was the best thing that ever happened to her, as well.

I will also tell you that there is a wonderful community of folks that have moved into the area and doing a variety of things. (Called locally, "outlanders") Some of our good friends here include a couple from Sacramento. (Toni is a masseuse and her husband is a gourmet chef.) Our friend Russ has taken thousands of dead tires out of the red over the years. Some people farm and some people commute. There are computer engineers, software developers, artists, musicians, writers and independent business people among us. The examples go on and on. We may not be immediately visible to the climbing community (though we all drop in to yak with Miguel and Susan and kids on a regular basis) but we are here and the numbers are increasing. We also are very welcoming.

The cold, hard fact is that there are really very few jobs in the area. This is an area at the bottom end of all the indices. I am trying to change that by working with people with very little business experience to start and run sustainable businesses. So far it's working, but is a slow process.

Now if you want to come down here and start a business, please contact me. We have a local micro business loan fund. And if you happen to have a business that employs hundreds of people, we'll call in the big dogs from Frankfort.

I've moved places because of my job. I've moved places because I fell in love with the place. And, funny, the two categories have never overlapped. I definitely prefer the latter.

Give me a shout sometime. There are some insights I might be able to give you.

Cheers,

Larrey

[kirker]

Exactly where is this community? I am leaning more on finding work near or in Lexington and looking for residents at a half way point. My difficulty is finding a strong community with good schools.