Kentucky Treasurer Jonathan Miller spoke in Hazard on Wednesday, April 1, at a daylong series of free financial seminars held at the Perry County JobSight at the L.K.L.P. Community Action Council near Hazard.

The economic summit was part of Miller’s “Enriching Kentucky” program, which helps people develop practical financial skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.

“Out of all the [summits] we’ve done so far, this one in Perry County is by far the largest,” Miller said, drawing applause from a packed conference room at L.K.L.P.

Miller told the audience that it is never too late or too early to start saving money. Young or old, everyone can benefit from wisely managing money with an eye for saving for the future, he said.

The day’s activities also drew out several other officials, including 84th District state Rep. Brandon Smith, Perry County Judge-Executive Denny Ray Noble, and Hazard Mayor Bill Gorman.

The seminars—taught by both public and private sector experts—help citizens learn important economic skills, including: paycheck planning and record keeping; how to plan for unexpected events like divorce or death of a spouse; avoiding bad deals on used cars; avoiding check cashing schemes; and managing the financial strains of caring for elderly loved ones.

Those lessons were delivered by representatives of several public agencies and private businesses, including the Perry County JobSight; L.K.L.P.; U.S. Department of Labor; Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises; Steele’s Auto Sales; Kentucky River Area Development District; Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance; and the New Opportunities School for Women.

Wednesday’s event was provided through the combined efforts of: the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP); Perry County JobSight; Hazard-Perry County Community Ministries; L.K.L.P. Community Action Council; Kentucky Department for Employment Services; Hazard-Perry County Housing Development Alliance, and the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services. Funding for the event was provided by Kentucky’s Financial Literacy Foundation, the Fifth Third Bank, and the U.S. Department of Labor.