Big Sandy Area Development District

Day 1 is done! 👏

Today in Kentucky, we spent the day exploring perspective-taking, unpacking the difference between sympathy and empathy, and practicing communication techniques that influence behavior and support change.

Most importantly, we kept it real.

We talked about the challenges professionals face every day, the resistance we encounter, and the reality that meaningful change rarely happens because we have the perfect answer. It happens when people feel heard, understood, and respected.

Thankful for the engagement, the honesty, and the willingness of this group to lean into some important conversations.

Big Sandy Area Development District

CMH 23 has issued a Request for Proposals for audio, video, and broadcast equipment for the CMH 23 Workforce and Tourism Development Project located in the CMH 23 Studio at the Mountain Arts Center. For a full copy of the RFP, click here:https://bigsandy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RFP-Package-CMH-23-Studio-Equipment.pdf

Big Sandy Active Living Workshop: Creating Walkable & Bike-Friendly Communities
Communities across Kentucky are discovering how small improvements to sidewalks, crossings, trails, and bike facilities can make a big difference for health, safety, and quality of life.

Join Bike Walk Kentucky and the Kentucky State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (SPAN) for a regional Active Living Workshop focused on practical ways communities can support safe walking and biking.

This workshop is designed for community members, local officials, public health professionals, planners, advocates, and anyone interested in making their community safer and more active.

During this interactive session, participants will explore:

How walking and biking support community health and economic vitality
Why transportation and the built environment influence physical activity
How communities identify gaps in sidewalks, crossings, and trails
The role local planning plays in improving transportation options
Partnerships that help move projects from ideas to reality

This workshop will highlight examples of successful walk and bike initiatives happening across Kentucky and provide tools communities can use to begin making progress locally.

The session is intentionally designed for a general audience, focusing on practical ideas and community conversations rather than technical engineering detail.

Space is limited to 40 participants to allow for discussion and collaboration.

Snacks and lunch will be provided.

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/big-sandy-active-living-workshop-creating-walkable-and-bike-friendly-communities__;!!Db6frn15oIvDD3UI!nHv4EE85CdoqvMy4rF_nzqNWhKeztqt8lbS367UkWu_cu9Q7Lx_f38xGDFaM-hsjKbYJzIus_S5Ck2tgR5ZUyTqb1Zk$

Big Sandy's Community Collaboration for Children Program and the staff at the Big Sandy ADD are observing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month by wearing blue and decorating our office grounds 💙 We want to raise awareness about child maltreatment and promote preventative measures that support child well-being 💙