Appalachia is a borderland: Lessons from the third annual Appalachian Food Summit

Appalachia is a borderl...

Food is the great equalizer. That wasn’t the official theme of this year’s Appalachian Food Summit, but it should be what most attendees walked away understanding when the last crumb of peach upside down cake was eaten. Presenters throughout the day-long program talked of...

Transition in Action: A...

Economic transition in eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia is nothing new. Our economy has had to shift many times over the years as industries have come and gone, and boomed and busted. Even the most recent collapse of the coal industry has been a long-term transition as increased...
Transition in Action: What is ‘Appalachian Transition?’

Transition in Action: W...

The Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development – and many others – believe eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia are experiencing an important moment. While the region has always faced change, current and urgent trends require big solutions, and are creating a...

New Blog Series, ‘...

We here at Renew Appalachia have always been committed to highlighting the great economic transition work that’s happening across the Central Appalachian region. It’s important to us that our readers know about the many different aspects of economic transition that are...
Community Members hope to revitalize Route 7

Community Members hope ...

  Route 7 Antique Alley and Route 7 Artisan Fellowship are teaming up in eastern Kentucky, working across county lines, and hoping to make change happen in their communities. With 5,200 plus members — to put it into perspective, Whitesburg had only 2,057 residents in 2013 — Route 7...
STAY Project creates full-time position for Appalachian youth; hopes others will do the same

STAY Project creates fu...

The Stay Together Appalachian Youth (STAY) Project has created a full time position for Appalachian youth, to be stationed in the Central Appalachian region. This decision comes eight years after the formation of STAY, and just eight months after the part-time STAY Coordinator position...

Kentucky leaders should...

New energy – wind, solar and efficiency – is a huge opportunity for eastern Kentucky right now. That is, if our leaders are willing to take advantage of it. Energy will be a hot topic during the Kentucky General Assembly, which is now getting into full swing. That’s...
Bill and Melinda Gates paid a visit to EKY

Bill and Melinda Gates ...

Making our eastern Kentucky youth feel like they can do anything is a very crucial part of transitioning the regional economy. It doesn’t hurt when Bill and Melinda Gates are telling them that, too, when they come to visit. The pair – who co-chair the Bill and Melinda Gates...