Rotary Program: 8/11/04

Program Chairperson: Mike Burke

Speaker: Les Cecil, New Horizons

Les Cecil is a native Kentuckian and a graduate of the University of Ky. He worked for the American Greetings Company for 28 years and retired about 4 years ago to go to work for New Horizons, a company that provides technology training for businesses through a federal grant called "C-Train". The grant reimburses businesses for training their personnel in computer programs and applications up to 80% of the expense up to $ 20,000.00 per year per company. This program is available regardless of the size of the business and can include non-profit companies as well. The mission is to help businesses retain their employees, create new jobs, and help them become more competitive. At this time, New Horizons is working in partnership with the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky. CRD helps administrate the program and will assist business owners in writing and submitting the grant application. Some of the programs available include Microsoft, Security programs to protect against viruses and spam, and CISCO, which is a networking program. The training can be done on the site of the business if there are 5 or more participants or a business may send their employees to the Pikeville Community & Technical College for the classes. The application process takes about two or three weeks and the funds can be accessed immediately after the training sessions have been completed. If anyone would like more information, you may call 859-266-2900, Extension 239 or email Les at lcecil@newh.com. You may also reach the Center for Rural Development by sending email to Jessica Melton at jmelton@centertech.com. The website is www.centertech.com and click on the link called "C-Train". We appreciate Les and Jessica coming to speak to us today and we hope some of you business owners can take advantage of this opportunity. - jmc