The Center for Rural Development
Established in 1996 through the vision of U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05), The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization fueled by a mission to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions and a better way of life for the citizens we serve. The Center also aspires to be the nationally recognized model for successful rural development.
The Center's programs and services center around four Focus Areas: Public Safety, Arts & Culture, Leadership, and Technology. The Center also boasts a state-of-the-art meeting and convention facility.
While The Center's programs largely serve residents in a 45-county primary service area in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, we are committed to constantly expanding our capabilities in order to deliver a range of key services throughout Kentucky and the nation.
The Center for Rural Development fosters a culture of creativity throughout our region. Through our Arts & Culture Focus Area, The Center is a hub of activity, hosting performing arts series, special concerts, and events that enrich, entertain, and inspire the imagination of people of all ages.
In partnership with Lake Cumberland Performing Arts, The Center provides entertainment and educational programming through our Center Stage, Children's Prime Time Theatre, and School Time Theatre series in our state-of-the-art 760-seat performing arts theatre. Renowned touring theatre and performing arts productions take the stage annually as part of Center Stage. School Time Theatre brings educational performances to students that align with critical content in Kentucky classrooms. Children's Prime Time Theatre allows parents to bring children to performances at pricing comfortable within even the tightest of budgets.
The Center understands that resources are stretched thin in many of our region's school districts. Our Arts and Culture Outreach activities take our educational performances directly into schools, exposing students to the cultural experiences they deserve.
In addition, The Center hosts numerous special concerts and events that bring some of entertainment's biggest names to our venue. Musical greats like Merle Haggard and Percy Sledge have performed to thousands in The Center's Exhibit Halls, and new events are added every day.
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