Jessica and the Eastern Kentucky Talent Network were great to work with and made me feel more confident and more comfortable when trying to find a job during a very stressful time in my life! Luckily, I was able to find a job at the local hospital where I live.
Working for Eastern Kentucky
Shaping Our Appalachian Region is a nonprofit serving the 54 Appalachian Regional Commission counties of Eastern Kentucky. Born from the economic fallout of the coal industry, Shaping Our Appalachian Region’s mission today is to solve the deep-seated issue of population retention and growth in Eastern Kentucky.
Follow four steps to get involved with Shaping Our Appalachian Region
Shaping Our Appalachian Region is combating population loss in Eastern Kentucky by investing in existing communities and attracting new residents. We know this will in turn drive economic growth and regional prosperity. But we’re not just talking the talk — we’re actively executing our ideas every day. We invite you to join us in our mission by taking four steps.
Step 2:
Get to work
Access a one-stop-shopfor digital skills training, regional job listings, and remote work opportunities in Eastern Kentucky.
Step 3:
Get business help
Get free entrepreneurship training, services, and funding through SOAR Innovation.
Step 4:
Get engaged
Attend local events to share tools, ideas, and strategies for moving our region forward — together.
Read news and updates from Eastern Kentucky
By the numbers: Shaping Our Appalachian Region 2023
0
startups served
0
resources downloaded
0
event attendees
$0
capital raised
Celebrate Eastern Kentucky with us
Winter Shockley
I came into SOAR’s Founders Weekend excited to share my idea, but I didn’t expect to find so many meaningful partnerships with other founders. I walked away with a clearer path to investment and real momentum… I can’t recommend the experience enough.
Corey Shepherd
You don’t see many events like this in Appalachia… it’s the kind of quality you’d expect on the coast. Having something this strong right here is both rare and exciting.
Cindy Sparks
Thanks to SOAR’s support, I’ve not only strengthened my startup’s foundation but also expanded my network in ways I never imagined.
Gaby Blocher
I’ve been through several incubators, but this one stood out, mainly because of the hands-on mentorship from [SOAR Entrepreneur in Residence] Rick West. Meeting him and the other founders in person brought everything to life and made the experience genuinely impactful.
Scott Stuckby
I never imagined I would walk in to a job interview and walk out with an opportunity like this. Thank you to all the great folks at SOAR.
Bailey Smith
Clay County
Thanks to SOAR and the EKY Talent Network for connecting me with a job opportunity with Framatome. It’s been lifechanging.
Nathaniel Hamilton
Floyd County
We are so grateful for Shaping Our Appalachian Region and its partners and sponsors for creating a forum where agencies, organizations, businesses and each of us can create, collaborate, and deploy state-of-the-art ideas.
Suzie Razmus
Mayor, City of Corbin, KY
Together, we have faced our challenges head-on and united in our mission to make southern and eastern Kentucky a better place to live for future generations.
Representative Hal Rogers
Dean of the U.S. House
SOAR is living proof of what we can achieve when we come together to move the commonwealth forward.
Governor Andy Beshear
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Shaping Our Appalachian Region provides the opportunity for all to learn and work together to overcome similar problems in order to achieve common goals.
Kim McCann
Chairperson, Executive Board
Starlink (through Shaping Our Appalachian Region) has made such a huge impact on my life. My parents can schedule and take doctor appointments without leaving the house! Also, I can do my job at the elementary school, because I have access to Google Classroom. Starlink is amazing!
Mack McCoy
Martin County, KY resident
I’ll never be able to express how grateful I am to the whole Shaping Our Appalachian Region team for helping me create a real, tangible way to achieve my dreams and working with me as a mom to lay the foundation for my family’s future.
Jessy Workman
Founder and Owner, Oasis
I have been inspired by Shaping Our Appalachian Region in so many ways – inspired to do more for my community, inspired to collaborate more to improve the region, and inspired to work on my development as a person and a leader.
Nicole Winkleman
2019 Graduate, BRIGHT Leadership Kentucky
Jackson County is open for business, and we now have the pieces in place to let the whole world know. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of Shaping Our Appalachian Region. They listened and connected us with the right people to turn our idea into a reality.
Rodney Crisman
Board Member, Jackson County IDA
Let’s make it official
Sign up to get alerts when Shaping Our Appalachian Region releases new events, work opportunities, and thought leadership.