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Plan to turn University of Pikeville into state university gets support from KY chamber of commerce

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By April Kaull, Anchor - bio | email

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The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (SEKC) Board of Directors announced Thursday its full support of the Kentucky state legislature accepting the proposal to make the University of Pikeville a state university. 

"We believe that this transition will be the most important happening in eastern Kentucky in half a century," said Chamber CEO Brad Hall in a news release. "UPIKE as a state supported school will mark the arrival of truly diversified economy for our region with significant opportunities for economic prosperity for all of eastern Kentucky."

Hall said that the Chamber is excited about the potential change for several reasons because of what it would mean to the people and to the economy, as workforce training would become much more affordable. "Businesses could experience growth because they would have a better trained pool of potential employees to hire.  More highly-educated men and women who are interested in starting a business would have the experience to do so.  More members of our population would go on to achieve a Masters or Doctorate. This could also foster more relationships with our local medical school and Medical Center."  

Hall also said in the news release that the Chamber applauds the vision and success of President Paul Patton, Vice President James Hurley, and the University's Board of Trustees. "This group of individuals is truly impacting the future of this region, and our Chamber will fully support and plea to the Kentucky Legislature to allow the eastern Kentucky region a better quality of life by making the University of Pikeville a state funded university."