First official Trail Town in eastern Kentucky wants to develop economy around designation

First official Trail To...

By: Ivy Brashear Livingston, Ky., is a small place. At last count in 2010, the total population was 226 people. Main Street isn’t long enough for a single stoplight. Even when the L&N Railroad first came through town in 1870, Livingston stayed small. But the town’s size hasn’t kept...
MACED helps create possible new economic model for rural communities

MACED helps create poss...

By: Ivy Brashear The City of Berea in Madison County, Ky., hopes the Berea Artist Accelerator, an innovative new program born of a unique set of partnerships, will help plug the leak of Berea College graduates fleeing town after graduation, and in the process, become a model example for...
Eastern Kentucky Transition stories in statewide media

Eastern Kentucky Transi...

At least two examples of economic transition in eastern Kentucky were in the media recently. Roundabout Music Company in Whitesburg was featured on Kentucky for Kentucky’s blog last week. Co-owners Matt Carter, Josh May, Jonathan Hootman and Ben Spangler spoke with KFK about what...
Eastern Kentucky reporter is optimistic about the possibilities in her community

Eastern Kentucky report...

“With the start of this new year, I’ve given myself permission to dream big – not only for my own life, but also for our entire region.” That’s how Hazard Herald reporter Mindy Beth Miller starts her most recent column for the Hazard, Ky., newspaper.  She’s...
Transition Stories: Whitesburg businesses build something together

Transition Stories: Whi...

One thing Amelia Kirby and David Fisher both knew when they opened businesses in downtown Whitesburg was that they wouldn’t get rich. They knew it was about something larger. I. Summit City When Kirby and her partner, Joel Beverly, opened Summit City Lounge in 2007, they had a feeling...
Why It’s Important to Buy Local

Why It’s Importan...

The New York Times this weekend featured a beautifully-written column about the demise of a community centerpiece in Big Stone Gap, VA. The Mutual Drug Cafeteria has been more than just a place to fill a prescription, pick up a few items and grab a bite to eat – it's...

Must-read essay on entr...

Yesterday, the Daily Yonder featured a thoughtful, thought-provoking essay about the uncertaintly of the economic future of the coalfields. Written by a young entrepreneur from Whitesburg, KY, the piece juxtaposes the author’s father’s view that it’s coal or nothing...

“Blueprint Communities”...

From the West Virginia Community Development Hub: The Blueprint Communities initiative, which helps  smaller communities gain their second wind through a program of leadership training, capacity building, community planning and access to private and public funds, is expanding in southern...