The Bingham Fellows Class of 2009 Creating a Cool Region: The Next Generation of Talent Class roster The issue: How do we identify the next generation of talent who will help create a cool region to attract the jobs and workforce of the future? Corporations are struggling with the challenge. And so are communities. This issue is a key component to the regional economic development strategy currently underway by Greater Louisville Inc. and the Wired65 initiative. The Bingham Fellows Class of 2009's response The 2009 Bingham Fellows class has developed three initiatives: Internship Initiative The Internship team’s mission is to make the greater Louisville region the Intern Capital of the U.S. To achieve this, recommendations and resources have been developed that will create a dynamic community of interns who connect to the region and each other through social, educational, recreational and philanthropic experiences unique to the Wired65 region. One resource is the new website, www.loukey.com. By providing interns with opportunities to meet, learn, play and give they can positively influence and impact our region’s ability to attract and retain the next generation of talent. Quality of Life/Green Initiative This team's goal is to restore the original Olmsted Park, Kenton Place, which was on East Market Street over 100 years ago. Read "Finding, restoring an Olmsted Park" op-ed article by Bingham Fellow, Gill Holland. Young Professionals Engagement Initiative The DRIVE Louisville Young Professional Advisory Council provides a vehicle for young professionals (YPs) to get involved with city and community leadership. This increased involvement, in turn, provides government leaders an opportunity to tune into the voice of the next generation of leaders. DRIVE Louisville will be an Advisory Council of at least 20 young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40.   DRIVE Louisville members will help Develop Regional Initiatives that are Vital in Engaging YPs.  Members will also meet quarterly with the Louisville Metro Mayor and perhaps other elected officials at Metro Hall. Bingham Fellows work was featured at the 1st annual NuLu Festival on Sept. 26 The Nulu Festival, a fun evening along the restored East Market Street, was the perfect venue for showcasing the ambitious work of the 2009 Bingham Fellows.   Interested in learning more about our region's challenges and opportunities? Hear why there was so much buzz around nationally-known consultant Rebecca Ryan's visit to the 2008 Bingham Fellows' recent regional leadership summit. View KET's interview with Rebecca Ryan and learn about Ryan's research on our region's specific challenges and opportunities. (Video length: 26 min.)     Bingham Fellows: A Peer-led Experience Participants in the Bingham Fellows class shape their own experience.  Putting their advanced leadership skills into action, participants work in small groups to further explore the topic and implement solutions.  This process is peer-led and activities are peer-executed.  A Leadership Louisville Center program manager facilitates the experience.  Graduates of all Leadership Louisville Center programs and graduates of other regional leadership programs are eligible to apply for the Bingham Fellows program. When and how to apply Applications for the Class of 2010 will open in late Fall 2009.