It’s been a full year since the nation’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. With federal plans to amp up vaccinations as soon as possible, it’s important to take a look at how Appalachian states are responding to, and in some cases leading, vaccination…

Behind the scenes as SOAR prepares for its online conference with partner at Coalfields Industrial Park in Perry County, Kentucky. In 2013, with ARC support, SOAR (Shaping our Appalachian Region) was established as a community based collaborative effort to embrace new ideas, leverage resources, and build capacity in eastern Kentucky. Headquartered…

Eastern Kentucky’s Red River Gorge spans four counties and is known locally for its natural beauty, biologic diversity, and fantastic rock climbing, hiking, and camping. An estimated 7,500 climbers visit the gorge annually, which generates a $3.6 million impact on the regional economy. However, the park is undercapitalized, and there…

Tyrone Wilson, Founder & President of Cover 6 Solutions, leading instruction for the first-ever cohort of cybersecurity training participants onsite at the Pikeville Teleworks USA Hub in November 2019. For nearly 50 years, Hazard, Kentucky’s EKCEP (the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc.), has offered focused training, employment, and workforce…

BRIGHT Kentucky is a free training program building developed by the Leadership Kentucky Foundation to expand capacity of next-generation economic development leaders in the state’s 54 Appalachian counties. Made possible through support from ARC, The Kentucky Department of Local Government, the Whitaker Foundation, Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), and others,…

With ARC support, Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) Electrical Lineman & Fiber Optics Training Project purchased critical equipment for a training program to help former miners, veterans, and others prepare for in-demand jobs like fiber optic technicians and linemen. The equipment for the training program included utility trucks,…