From powering our local economies, to innovative dental collaborations, and helping our youth shoot for the stars, there was a lot going on across Appalachia Kentucky.
ARC POWER Kickoff
On Thursday, January 20, we partnered with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to host an ARC POWER Kickoff convening. More than 200 people from 37 Kentucky counties and eight Appalachian states registered. This free virtual session was held in preparation for the next POWER Grant cycle, to prepare Appalachian communities to better understand the POWER Grant.
ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin and Dennis Keene, Commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Local Government, joined us to offer their insight. Karen Fabiano and Braedon Koerwitz from the ARC and Scott Sharpe, Kentucky’s ARC Project Manager, provided guidance on the POWER application, best practices, administration and finance, new updates for eligibility, and did an extensive question and answer session.
If you didn’t attend, check out a recording of the session HERE.
We’ve also created a Checklist on How to Apply for an ARC POWER Grant. Take a look at it HERE.
Some Good Ol’ Home Cooking in Rockcastle County
For a restaurant owner, nothing is better than a good review, especially a good review from J.C. Phelps! Phelps, a nationally recognized blogger and social media personality, penned an entry on his blog JCP Eats about Marcella’s Farm to Fork restaurant, promising the best meatloaf you’ve ever tasted in your life.
Marcella’s sources fresh produce from top quality vendors to provide food that is “just like my mom cooked for me,” according to the restaurant owner. Their food is filled with love and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. That’s quite the review.
But don’t take our word for it! Make sure to stop by Marcella’s next time you’re in or around Mt. Vernon!
Addressing the Lack of Dental Care in Appalachia
We’ve all probably heard the phrase, “Dental insurance is expensive.” or that services are not accessible. The truth is many on Medicaid can’t find a dentist or are burdened traveling long distances to find a provider who accepts Medicaid. For people in Appalachia Kentucky, this obstacle often prevents them from receiving the dental care they need.
But Dr. Collins at the Red Bird Dental Clinic is changing that by using a income based sliding scale to offer the people of Appalachia Kentucky a better shot at dental care. Care is a big part of it. The technology involved may be one of the first of its kind. You see, the team at Red Bird has partnered with Whip Mix to do digital dentures, or 3D printed dentures.
There’s much more to this story which aired on WKYT.
High School Duo starts Delivery Business
Two Appalachian high school students have decided to dive into the food delivery service!
Jared Baker and Connor Hollen saw a problem within their hometown when it came to food delivery. Everyone complained that the drivers from the big companies just weren’t friendly enough. So, these two decided to bring some southern charm to the food delivery business by launching their own start up, CJ on the Way.
They have officially been open for three months and have made over four hundred deliveries!
You can read their full story in the Sentinel Echo.
The Challenger Learning Center
The Challenger Learning Center is empowering the students of Appalachian Kentucky to reach for the stars.
Literally!
The Center provides a variety of programs at its facility and throughout the region to inspire students to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The vision is clear: Every student in Appalachia Kentucky should never be hesitant to shoot for the stars and dream.
Would you like to help? Click HERE to see how you can keep this mission going throughout the region.
The Future of Appalachia
Prosper Appalachia held their first virtual interiation for their Youth Advisory Council (YAC) on January 21. These young leaders are committed to creating a better future for Appalachia Kentucky.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) allows the youth of Appalachia to share their opinions and voice their ideas for the future of the region. The council reviews curriculum, internship design, and site selection for Prosper Appalachia, as well as helping to recruit youth participants. To serve on the council, you must be 16 – 24 years of age and located in one of the counties that Prosper Appalachia serves.
We are excited to see what the youth of Appalachia have in store for the region!