What The Center for Rural Development does

The Center for Rural Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 in Somerset, Kentucky, by U.S. Congressman Harold Hal Rogers to serve as a regional economic catalyst for 45 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. It operates four program pillars: Public Safety, Arts and Culture, Leadership, and Technology, delivered through federal pass-through grants, donations, ticket and venue revenue, and an in-house marketing services arm. The Center's flagship asset is its 35,000+ square-foot facility, which includes a 760-seat performing arts theatre, two exhibit halls totaling 23,160 square feet, five modular ballrooms, and a full-service commercial kitchen — making it the only purpose-built convention and performing-arts venue in the Lake Cumberland region between Lexington, KY and Knoxville, TN.

Its core products span youth leadership development (Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers, and the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, with 1,374 alumni and more than $8 million in college scholarship offers), rural emergency responder training through the congressionally authorized Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC), workforce retraining for coal-displaced workers (CIST) and individuals in substance use recovery (STAR), federal grant administration (ARC Flex-E/Mini Grants, more than $1.3 million since 2005), small-business marketing (MOSS), regional broadband expansion, and live performing arts programming (Center Stage, School Time Theatre). Its technical infrastructure includes a 2,900 square-foot Network Operations Center with redundant Liebert HVAC, twin Liebert NX 160KVA UPS systems, a 350KW Kohler generator, biometric security, and a 100Gb redundant core network.

The Center's business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack: federal grant pass-throughs from ARC, DOT/PHMSA, DHS/FEMA, and the Kentucky Department for Local Government; individual and institutional donations; transactional revenue from ticket sales (via ETix) and venue rentals; and a modest fee-for-service arm (MOSS) for small-business marketing. GTM is event-driven and relationship-mediated — direct outreach to school districts for youth programs, government and first-responder agencies for RDPC, and regional/community events for venue utilization. RDPC delivers no-cost training nationwide, while other programs are largely subsidized by federal dollars. There is no equity ownership, no parent company, and no institutional investor — the Center is governed by an independent Board of Directors chaired by Mark Haney, with day-to-day operations led by President and CEO Lonnie Lawson.

Name

The Center for Rural Development

Legal name

The Center for Rural Development

Website

https://centertech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Center for Rural Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Somerset, Kentucky that delivers youth leadership, rural emergency responder training, workforce development, broadband expansion, and arts programming to 45 Kentucky counties and nationwide through its congressionally authorized Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium, operating from a 35,000+ sq ft facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Community Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Public safety training
• Youth leadership programs
• Event venue services
• Broadband expansion services

Headquarters

HQ city

Somerset

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Federal Funding: The Center receives grant funding from federal agencies including the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Department of Transportation/PHMSA, and Department of Homeland Security/FEMA for various programs including RDPC, broadband expansion, and workforce training
2. Donations and Contributions: The Center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals to deliver programs and services
3. Venue Rental and Facility Services: Revenue generated from renting out event spaces including the 760-seat theatre, exhibit halls, ballrooms, and full-service commercial kitchen for conferences, weddings, trade shows, and other events
4. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for concerts, performances, and special events held at The Center's venue, sold through ETix online platform and box office

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Center for Rural Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers rural development programs across public safety, arts and culture, leadership, and technology. Its core offerings include no-cost DHS-certified emergency responder training through the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium, youth leadership programs (Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers, ELI), workforce training (CIST, STAR), broadband expansion services, ARC capacity-building grants, and event/venue rentals at its 35,000+ square foot Somerset, Kentucky facility with a 760-seat theatre.

Product overview

The Center for Rural Development operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a diversified portfolio of programs and services centered around four focus areas: Public Safety, Arts & Culture, Leadership, and Technology. The organization delivers youth leadership programs (Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers, and Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute), emergency responder training through the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium, workforce development programs (CIST, STAR, and ARC Mini Grants), broadband expansion services, and operates a state-of-the-art 35,000+ square foot convention facility with a 760-seat theatre. The Center also provides marketing services through its Marketing One Stop Shop and maintains a Network Operations Center data facility serving regional connectivity needs across 45 Kentucky counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rogers Scholars Flagship youth leadership program for high school juniors in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, featuring team-building exercises and instruction from professional experts in engineering, healthcare, and civic engagement. Since 1998, 1,374 students have graduated, with more than $8 million in potential scholarships offered by 19 partner colleges and universities.
• Rogers Explorers Intensive three-day, two-night leadership program for eighth graders focused on cultivating skills in leadership, technology, math, science, and community service, delivered in partnership with multiple universities in Kentucky.
• Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) Weeklong intensive program developing future business leaders and entrepreneurs through classroom instruction, guest speakers, competitions, and a business concept competition with college scholarships.
• Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC)

Quantifiable outcome

• 126,693+ students trained through RDPC programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC) MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004The Center serves as Executive Agent for RDPC, a consortium of academic institutions with extensive experience developing and delivering homeland security curriculum. Consortium members include University of Findlay-Ohio, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, North Carolina Central University, University of California Davis, and University of Tennessee. RDPC has trained over 110,000 rural and tribal practitioners.
• U.S. Congressman Harold 'Hal' RogerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996U.S. Congressman Harold 'Hal' Rogers (KY-05) founded The Center for Rural Development in 1996 with a vision to create a state and national model for economic development. Serving since 1981, Rogers has been elected to 20 consecutive terms and is the longest-serving Kentucky Republican in federal office, focused on economic development, job creation, and preserving Appalachian natural treasures.
• Southeast Kentucky Economic Development (SKED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKED is a non-profit economic development organization formed in 1986 serving 45 counties in Southeast Kentucky. They invest in businesses through lending, marketing, training, expansion, and recruitment to improve quality of life and vitality through sustainable economic development.
• Operation UNITEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation UNITE is a non-profit organization serving 32 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, created by Congressman Rogers in 2003 to prevent substance abuse and facilitate recovery. UNITE operates the KY HELP Statewide Call Center and serves as Educational Advisor for the Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit.
• Eastern Kentucky PRIDEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEastern Kentucky PRIDE, Inc. was created in 1997 to encourage environmental stewardship through cleanup and education. In 2020, PRIDE launched The Kentucky Wildlands tourism marketing initiative showcasing the region's beauty and heritage for economic development.
• Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOAR is an initiative bringing local communities together to revitalize the environment, fight drug abuse, build small businesses, and create jobs through increased tourism in Appalachian Kentucky.
• University of Findlay (All-Hazards Training Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe All-Hazards Training Center at University of Findlay is an academic partner providing curriculum for emergency responder training. Through DOT Technical Assistance Grant and ALERT programs, they deliver 8-hour awareness-level courses on pipeline security and hazardous materials response.
• Kentucky Office of Broadband DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kentucky Office of Broadband Development partners with The Center for broadband expansion initiatives, including informational sessions and coordination with county governments for connectivity projects across the 45-county service area.
• Lake Cumberland Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLake Cumberland Performing Arts partners with The Center to provide entertainment and educational programming through Center Stage and School Time Theatre series in the 760-seat performing arts venue.
• University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Union CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive colleges and universities partner with The Center to deliver the Rogers Explorers youth leadership program. Students attend programs at different campus locations, with 19 total colleges/universities providing scholarship opportunities to Rogers Scholars graduates.
• East Kentucky Manufacturing Institute (eKAMI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnereKAMI partners with The Center's SUD Training Program (STAR) to provide specialized workforce training in trade skills including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and industrial maintenance for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.
• Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKCTCS (Somerset, Southeast, Big Sandy, and Hazard campuses) collaborates with The Center's STAR program to offer specialized workforce training and short-term certification programs in targeted high-demand industries.
• Peoples Rural Telephone CooperativemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPRTC is a partner providing high-speed internet service to underserved areas, including projects in Harlan County and Rockcastle County funded through Appalachian Regional Commission grants administered by The Center.
• Harlan Community TelevisionmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHarlan Community Television signed a contract with Harlan County Fiscal Court to provide high-speed internet service to unserved and underserved areas, with The Center facilitating the broadband expansion project.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Development Organizations: NADO is a national association representing regional planning and development organizations that, like The Center, work with federal agencies (ARC, EDA, USDA) to deliver economic development and infrastructure programs to distressed regions.
• Rural Community Assistance Partnership: RCAP is a national nonprofit network providing training, technical assistance, and capacity building to rural communities on water, wastewater, and community development — comparable rural capacity-building mission to The Center's RDPC and broadband programs but at a national scale.
• Kentucky Community and Technical College System: KCTCS is a statewide public community and technical college system that delivers workforce training across Kentucky. Comparable educational and workforce development mission, with The Center partnering with KCTCS campuses to deliver STAR programs.

Direct peers

• Mountain Association: Mountain Association is a regional community development organization serving Eastern Kentucky with economic development, business lending, and community programs. Highly comparable mission and geographic footprint to The Center, with overlapping focus on workforce and community resilience.
• Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky: Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is a regional grantmaking and community development organization operating in the same 45-county service area. Both are Appalachian-focused nonprofits driving economic and community development with federal, state, and philanthropic funding.
• Fahe: Fahe is a Appalachian-focused nonprofit working on community development, housing, and economic revitalization across the same multi-state Appalachian region as The Center for Rural Development. Both serve economically distressed Appalachian communities with federal funding and partnership-based program delivery.
• East Kentucky Manufacturing Institute (eKAMI): eKAMI provides specialized workforce training in advanced manufacturing trades for Eastern Kentuckians, including SUD recovery populations. Directly comparable to The Center's STAR program and a current delivery partner.
• Operation UNITE: Operation UNITE is a Southern/Eastern Kentucky nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention and recovery, also created by Rep. Hal Rogers. Highly comparable geographic focus, founder relationship, and SUD recovery mission (overlapping with The Center's STAR program).

Others

• Appalachian Regional Commission: ARC is the federal-state partnership providing funding that The Center administers (Flex-E Grants) and depends on for CIST and STAR programs. A key financial partner, funder, and ecosystem participant in The Center's economic development model.

Emerging players

• Center for Rural Strategies: Center for Rural Strategies is a nonprofit media and advocacy organization focused on rural community development across Appalachia and the South. Comparable regional focus and community development mission, with a different emphasis on communications and policy advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/centertech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/centercrd
• Facebookfacebook.com/centercrd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-center-for-rural-development

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Center for Rural Development