eastern Kentucky

Teaming up again to advocate for progress in Eastern Kentucky, Congressman Hal Rogers and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed companion bills on Thursday in the House and Senate to begin the federal process to designate Southern and Eastern Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area.

The legislation comes on the heels of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE's grant award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) earlier this year to brand the region, famously explored by Daniel Boone, as the Kentucky Wildlands.

Morehead State University graduate Angela Traver has joined the staff of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, Inc., based in Somerset and serves 42 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky.

As the PRIDE program director, Traver will guide and promote the nonprofit organization’s environmental education, cleanup and beautification programs. She will coordinate with local officials, teachers and volunteers to tailor the programs to communities across the region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Angela to our staff,” said Tammie Wilson, PRIDE president and chief operating officer.

More jobs are coming to eastern Kentucky. Gov. Steve Beshear and Congressman Hal Rogers joined company and community leaders today (March 30) to announce that Rajant Corporation will establish a facility in Morehead.

Rajant, a pioneer in providing multi-frequency wireless solutions, plans to create 28 jobs and invest $762,000 into the project.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College held its fourth-annual Super Sunday College Fair on Sunday, February 23, at the Church of God MPG of T in Pikeville, Ky.

Super Sunday is an annual Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) statewide initiative intended to increase the college-going rate of students of color. 

"It’s great to get out in the community and answer questions,” said Billie Jean Cole, associate dean of student affairs at BSCTC.

The economic development director in an eastern Kentucky community is seeing big potential benefits to a just-announced product branding effort. 

State and federal officials traveled to Knott County on Monday (Feb. 17) for the unveiling of the “Appalachia Proud: Mountains of Potential” campaign. 

Since eastern Kentucky has seen a sizeable loss of coal jobs in recent years, Knott County Tourism Director Shawn Owens says the region can’t stick with a coal-only approach.

Hundreds of Appalachian residents rallied on the steps of Kentucky's State Capitol on Wednesday (Feb. 12) for "I Love Mountains Day." 

As always, much attention during the annual mid-winter event was given to environmental concerns.  But, the December “Shaping Our Appalachian Region” summit brought renewed interest in tackling a variety of nagging economic and social issues. 

Carl Shoupe of Harlan County says laying more broadband fiber for internet access could bring in needed industry.