Owensboro Community and Technical College is working with community partners to develop a new industrial lab near its Hancock County Center.

The former auto repair shop on U.S. 60 in Lewisport, across from OCTC’s Hancock County Center, will be renovated to become welding labs, according to OCTC President Jim Klauber.

“The college is critically short of technical lab space,” Klauber said. “We are excited about the opportunity to offer this important training in a county that has so much heavy industry.”

Governor Steve Beshear today announced a new program to help small communities seeking to take advantage of adventure tourism opportunities in their area.

“Trail Towns is a designation and assistance program that will help these communities connect the dots for travelers and guide them to trails, food, lodging, campgrounds, museums, entertainment and other services,” Gov. Beshear said. “The Trail Towns program will become a major part of our adventure tourism effort and will help communities improve their tourism economy. This will mean more jobs and businesses for small communities and more tourism opportunities for the entire state.”

More than 30 communities have started the application process to become a Trail Town and are working with the Office of Adventure Tourism in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.