State Journal government reporter, Kentucky Open Government Coalition co-director, and Woodford County native, Austin Horn, explains why he left a position with National Public Radio in Washington DC, after graduating from Columbia University School of Journalism, to return to, stay in, and serve, his community.

"Community journalism here is a democratic process that you can touch and feel. You know you're a part of it not from how many reads a story gets online, or how many times it's retweeted, but from thoughtful reader mail — of the electronic and snail variety — and the occasional ribbing you get after bumping into a reader downtown.

"That's a small sampling of the joy and fulfillment that comes with living in a place that is both familiar to you and familiar with you.

"All of this to say: there are very real and personally edifying reasons for a young person to seek greater opportunity in a big city, but there is an opposite and equal case to be made for the impact you could make on a small town or city not so far from home. Not to mention the impact it could make on you."