Kentucky has made progress on four of the five goals identified in the New Agenda for Kentucky as ways to improve the economic and civic future for individuals and the state as a whole, but significant challenges continue to confront the state in every area.

That is the finding of the first progress report issued recently on the New Agenda initiative, launched in the spring of 2007 by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to encourage Kentuckians to think creatively and share their ideas about improving the state.

Guided by a private-sector task force of established executives and young entrepreneurs, the New Agenda effort identified five transformational goals that subsequently were adopted by the state Chamber as its long-term strategic plan:

1. Improve the education attainment of Kentuckians at all levels
2. Modernize government
3. Promote wellness and healthy Kentuckians
4. Prepare Kentucky to successfully compete in the global marketplace
5. Expand the state’s role as an energy leader

The progress report, released at the Chamber’s fourth Economic Summit and Annual Meeting, reviewed significant developments related to each goal to assess the progress that had been made since the New Agenda report was presented to the Governor in early 2008. Click here for more.