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...
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:...

SOAR still important, b...

One week ago today, the Shaping Our Appalachian Region Initiative hosted it’s second summit in Pikeville, Ky. If readers will recall, SOAR started with much fanfare, excitement and anticipation two years ago. Since it’s inception, SOAR has been funneling millions of dollars...
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...
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...