W. Bruce Ayers, president of the Southeast Community College, believes leaders have reacted well to the need to develop the infrastructure to support tourism. The uniqueness of the area, its history and traditions are ready for promotion to tourists. Everybody knows about Harlan. The college has to be one of the partners in this effort. We are very much into economic development.
Somebody has to be a catalystwilling to take charge and get it headed in the right direction.
That is why we have created the new office of Community and Business Development. Ayers believes tourists are willing to spend four or five days in eastern Kentucky, and he hopes local promotional efforts will bring them to Harlan County for a portion of that visit. Jobs to promote tourism have been filled in the Harlan and Tri-City areas. Creek Lake and Wildlife Area and state forests are among the other scenic locales in the area. Coal will continue to be important to Harlan, even in its transition from a primarily mining economy to one of a diversified nature.