The Southern Kentucky Film Commission is the recipient of the 2018 Spirit of Kentucky Award, the Department for Local Government (DLG) announced on Wednesday. The award, presented during the 43rd annual Governor’s Local Issues Conference in Louisville, is given annually to the sponsors of a public project that strengthens a community through collaboration and thoughtful use of resources, among other criteria. DLG Commissioner Sandra Dunahoo presented the award during the Governor’s Luncheon on the second day of the conference. The winning project represents an innovative and collaborative effort to diversify the economy of seven southern Kentucky counties: Barren, Christian, Cumberland, Edmonson, Hart, Monroe, Warren and Washington counties. Representatives from the counties worked together to attract filmmakers to Southern Kentucky, helping to spur regional economic development.