This month, the nonprofit organization Shaping Our Appalachian Region is holding their annual summit to encourage growth and development in the region.
Executive director of SOAR, Colby Hall, said this year’s gathering is themed around the perseverance of the people who call Appalachia home. He said SOAR’s goal is to make sure these people can participate in the economy.
“Really what’s kind of the foundation of our work at SOAR which is to make sure that every Eastern Kentuckian has the ability to access the American dream, which is centered on meaningful employment,” said Hall.
Hall said he hopes the summit will show that eastern Kentucky’s greatest asset is the people. He notes there is a prevalent stereotype about Appalachian people that often results in their communities being overlooked and underutilized by businesses and job markets.
“One of our biggest barriers is the perception of what it means to be from Appalachia or Eastern Kentucky. Probably more than just about any other place in America, I think we’ve been unfavorably labeled as folks that don’t work hard or don’t have what it takes or aren’t smart enough. I think the summit is a direct rebuke to that narrative,” said Hall.
This year’s event will largely focus on the future of artificial intelligence in the workforce and the prospect of nuclear energy as a source of commerce for the Commonwealth. The summit will take place from August 26 to 29 in the Corbin Arena in Corbin, Kentucky. Registration for the event ends Friday, August 22.
Hall said since last year’s summit, SOAR has continued their work in the region, most notably securing a $40 million grant from the Economic Development Administration to connect Kentucky residents with access to jobs.