Local support for POWER+ Plan growing like wildfire

Local support for POWER...

Support for the POWER+ Plan is picking up steam in Central Appalachia, as several localities have now passed resolutions in support of the plan. The Norton, Va., City Council became the first in the nation to pass a resolution supporting the POWER+ Plan in July. They were joined shortly...
People who are poor should be central in SOAR leadership

People who are poor sho...

Former War on Poverty anti-poverty worker, Robert W. Shaffer has some advice about how to improve upon past efforts at economic transition in eastern Kentucky: Let people who are poor have seats at all tables where decisions about the future of the region are being made. From Shaffer:...
Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition student reflects on time at annual Fancy Farm picnic

Kentucky Student Enviro...

Editor’s Note: In an effort to include a more diverse and varied set of voices in the Appalachian Transition conversation, Renew Appalachia will begin featuring posts from guest bloggers on a semi-regular basis. The following is the first blog in that effort. It is important to...
Eastern Kentuckians ‘born ready’ to hear leaders discuss region’s future

Eastern Kentuckians ...

WFPL reporter Erica Peterson posed an interesting question in a report for Louisville’s public radio station recently: “Can a Kentucky Politician Win By Being Candid About Coal’s Decline?” She reports that Kentucky politics and the coal industry are...
One reporter gives good, comprehensive report about Appalachian Transition

One reporter gives good...

There has been some relatively dire (and somewhat bias) reporting about Appalachia coming from the national media lately. But at least one news outlet is looking at a more broad and complete picture of the region – a picture that showcases the outstanding transition work happening all...
Appalachian Transition movement should employ participatory budgeting

Appalachian Transition ...

City governments across the country (and world) are trying a new system of budgeting that seems to be working well for them and their citizens. Participatory budgeting is a process of decision-making in which non-elected community members decide how a portion of their local government...
Real leadership for Appalachia necessary in upcoming elections

Real leadership for App...

Brace yourselves; election season is coming. We’re already seeing political ads claiming this candidate is taking us to hell in a hand basket, or that candidate is going to single-handedly save Kentucky. Unfortunately, so far there have been few candidates with any solid plans for...
Women should be welcomed as leaders in Appalachian Transition movement

Women should be welcome...

The Lexington Herald-Leader used their editorial space on Christmas to honor Mary Breckinridge, founder of the Frontier Nursing Service in Hyden, Ky. (Herald-Leader photo) The FNS and its nurse-midwives “deliver[ed] prenatal care, babies, inoculations and advice about sanitation...