Happy Cinco de Mayo!
We hope everybody’s been enjoying this fantastic May weather and with Derby right around the corner, this is starting to look like a beautiful start leading into summer.
Let’s go into our weekly roundup on this beautiful Friday …
The deadline for Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition is quickly approaching!
The deadline for the Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition, presented by Community Trust Bancorp. is May 15, which is right around the corner, not this Monday but the following to be exact!
We are looking to invest in Appalachia Kentucky’s next big idea!
If that’s you, we want to hear from you.
If you are a teacher at a high school or a professor at a university, I am sure you have heard a student with the next big idea for Appalachia, why not encourage them to apply?
Or if you are a community leader who happens to hear of a great idea from their community member, encourage them to apply for the competition!
They will not be alone – our Innovation Team will work with applicants to work on their idea and pitch presentation for the main competition which will be happening Thursday, June 15 at Morehead State University.
Finalists will compete for a shot at a $10,000 cash prize.
However, by being a finalist, you are guaranteed $500.
Country Music Highway Tribute Show Announcement
At our first-ever gala, we announced the launch of our Country Music Highway Tribute Show Concert Series, presented by Double Kwik happening THIS summer at three locations in our Eastern Kentucky mountains – downtown Paintsville, downtown Whitesburg, and the Mountain Arts Center.
The Country Music Highway is home to icons of the industry such as Chris Stapleton, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Dwight Yoakum, Wynonna Judd, Tyler Childers, and the late Naomi Judd, Keith Whitley, and Loretta Lynn.
We are partnering with tourism organizations and venues to pay homage to the stars and create a stage for the next generation of stars to shine at the Country Music Highway Tribute Show.
Join us for two FREE outdoor shows in Paintsville and Whitesburg, featuring music, food, arts, crafts, and much more.
Our finale will be at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.
All the proceeds go to supporting future shows and organizations supporting the arts all along the Highway.
You can learn more about the concert series HERE.
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities 2-day Workshop
You’re invited to an outdoor recreation planning workshop!
Join the McKee Trail Towns Committee, the City of McKee, and Jackson County to explore the following topics:
1) Amplify and expand outdoor recreation opportunities.
2) Invigorate sustainable entrepreneurial opportunities.
3) Revitalize and build partnerships to improve downtown McKee.
4) Brand McKee as a destination outdoor community and gateway to Kentucky’s Appalachian Region
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP & ACTION PLANNING
Mon, May 8th
Dinner & Mingle 5:00 pm
Meeting 530-8:00
and
Tues, May 9th
9:00 am-5:00 pm (Lunch Provided)
Venue: Jackson County Extension Conference Center 1296 Main St, McKee, KY 40447
All are encouraged to attend any part of the workshop you are available for.
You can register for the workshop HERE.
USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series
For those who don’t know, the month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
The USDA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is excited to co-host the USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop series scheduled weekly beginning Tuesdays, May 9 – Tuesday, June 6 from 2-3:30 pm Eastern time.
The workshop series gathers farmers and ranchers, faith leaders, rural health providers, USDA employees, and Federal, state, and university partners to talk and discuss mental health challenges, stressors, and the resources and services available to address them.
Learn more about the workshops HERE.
Grant Opportunity
There is a grant opportunity from the Park Community Credit Union Foundation.
The Pathways to Prosperity Grant will award $75,000 to multiple nonprofits for projects in Kentucky that promote education, financial well-being, and thriving communities.
The deadline to apply is May 18.
You can find the application link HERE.
Want to Submit something for our Weekly Round?
Know of a program that needs applicants from our region?
Do you know of a grant opportunity that one of our Eastern Kentucky non-profits could benefit from?
or just have good news from your town?
Email us at: roundup@soar-ky.org
Future events to add to your calendar:
May
- Paintsville Grant Workshop, May 18- 19
We are rolling out yet another grant workshop, which will be hosted in Paintsville and brought to you by the partnership we created with the Paintsville & Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Association, and Grant Ready Kentucky.
This hands-on introduction to grant writing will provide the steps and resources to compete and secure grant dollars.
Registration is $25 and all writing materials, printed materials, and food will be provided.
You can register for the workshop HERE.
June
- Kiss the Goat Trail Race, June 24
If you enjoy trail running or want to train for something challenging, Kiss the Goat is unlike most races. You will be tested to your limits on a roughly 3.77-mile-long uphill course. Besides, what better way to treat yourself at the top of the hill than to blow a kiss to the goat? Yes, a real-life goat.
Don’t think this race is for you? Consider volunteering and spectating; you can even walk this course!
You can sign up for the event HERE.
- Bluegrass Mountain Cup, Perry County Park, June 25
A new and fast-growing trail system just down the road from downtown Hazard, KY, Perry County Park packs a lot of punch in a small area.
A bit of a climb to the top, but well worth the reward that you get coming down.
Creator of the Perry County hiking trails, Ben, and crew dedicated year around countless hours to making these trails some of the best in the state.
If you’ve not been there yet, you have to check this place out.
More details coming soon!
Registration is live HERE.