Retail Renaissance

Sometimes, Louisville just stumbles into the spotlight. Even for all its strategic planning to bolster the city’s reputation – the merger, a new arena, a new branding plan – that wasn’t the goal when Mayor Jerry Abramson created the Corridors of Opportunity in Louisville program, or COOL. But the program has now become a model of sorts for the rest of the nation, including Las Vegas.

Part of the Metro Development Authority, COOL was created shortly after Abramson became the first metro mayor in 2003. While campaigning, residents frequently told him they’d like to see certain restaurants or stores in their area; COOL was created to bring in those businesses.

John Fischer, assistant director of the Metro Development Authority’s Retail Development Division, has led the program since its inception. The program serves as an “umbrella program,” coordinating retail development in a number of ways.

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The Path to Success - What's in Your Future?

A house? Money? A great career? It all starts with an education.

High school is a pretty tumultuous time - your classes are harder, the workload is greater, you're learning to drive and may be getting your first job. Add to that your extracurriculars, clubs and any sports, and it probably seems like there's time to do little else.

But there is one thing you should be making time for: getting ready for college. What you do after high school has a greater impact on your future than anything else.

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Take Charge of Your Finances

Get smart when it comes to managing your money

College expenses pile up fast - books, fees, laundry, a night out with friends - so managing your money will be more important than ever. If you're not using a bank to keep track of your cash, now is the time to sign up.

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The Art of the Essay

Tips on how to make your application essay shine

You've narrowed down your list of colleges and have all the admissions packets. They all seem fairly ordinary until somewhere toward the back you find it: the dreaded essay question.

But don't think of it as a torture tactic - the essay is the college's opportunity to get a feel for your individual talents and personality. This is the one place in the packet where you can show off who you really are and what makes you special. It's your chance to set yourself apart from all those other applicants.

And, believe it or not, you already have a head start on writing a college admissions essay. Many English teachers emphasize this type of essay writing during your last years of high school, and Kentucky public school students have had all those years of portfolio writing.

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Testing Tips

How to make college entrance exams pay off for you

The SAT and ACT tests are a required rite of passage in terms of getting into college. But what's the difference between the two? And which one do you need to take - or do you need both?

If you're like most people, the word "test" doesn't exactly conjure up warm fuzzy feelings, but a little planning and preparation can make it all worthwhile when you get your scores back.

Like most other things in school, if you give it enough effort, the pay-off can be great. In fact, pay-off is the operative word here: Score well enough and it's possible to earn some big-time money to put toward your college education.

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