Happy Friday and Veterans Day – I and our SOAR team want to personally thank those who plan to serve, are serving, and have served for our country, thank you!
We are a little less than two weeks away from Thanksgiving and I know several of you must be gathering those food items for the big feast with family members, friends, and neighbors.
Out of curiosity … do any of you cook Appalachian dishes during the holiday? If so, mind sending me a quick email so I can feature your food item? Email: claudette@soar-ky.org
Now back to the roundup, because I’m now starting to get hungry – here are a few things happening in our region that you should keep your eye on and several things to be proud of.
Let’s first start with a little project our Innovation Team has been working on these last couple of months.
SOAR Holiday Gift Guide
I know several of you might rely on Amazon Prime or the infamous Target (targé as I like to call it) for your holiday shopping needs, but why not help support a local business – specifically, a local Eastern Kentucky business while doing your holiday shopping?
That is where our SOAR Holiday Gift Guide comes into the picture. Our Innovation Team searched throughout our 54 counties to create a guide for your holiday shopping needs.
It is filled with gifts for everyone on your holiday gift list, from your significant others to your pets, and even experiences – all with ties to Eastern Kentucky!
Take a look at it, download it, or share it!
You can find the SOAR Holiday Gift Guide HERE.
Thriving Communities Program Deadline Quickly Approaching
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is inviting Letters of Interest (LOIs) from eligible applicants interested in receiving technical assistance, planning, and capacity-building support from the Thriving Communities Program (TCP) Capacity Builders to help them compete for federal aid and deliver quality infrastructure projects that enable their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.
This Call for Letters of Interest is intended for teams of community partners that may lack the staffing or technical expertise to scope, fund, and develop infrastructure projects that advance broader community goals.
For selected communities, the Thriving Communities Program will provide two years of deep-dive assistance to help them plan and develop a pipeline of comprehensive transportation, housing, and community revitalization activities as well as peer learning opportunities through assigned Communities of Practice. During the third year, communities will continue to receive peer learning support as Capacity Builders conduct evaluation, reporting, and transition activities.
LOIs must be submitted via webform by 4:59 p.m. ET on November 15, 2023. For questions, contact ThrivingCommunities@dot.gov.
DOT will prioritize communities and organizations that have had limited past success in applying for or receiving Federal transportation funding, or in successfully delivering integrated infrastructure and community development projects. TCP is targeting support to assist disadvantaged communities.
You can learn more about the program HERE.
Appalachian Regional Commission’s ELEVATE Program Accepting Applications
ELEVATE — ARC’s paid, six-week summer internship program — is accepting applications for 2024!
All current students and recent graduates of a two- or four-year college or university in Appalachia can apply. In alignment with ARC’s mission for socioeconomic parity, they encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including:
- Appalachia’s 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- First-generation students and graduates
- Students who live in, or are from, economically distressed or at-risk counties.
Learn more and apply by February 29, 202, using the link HERE.
Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) to host Spring Conference in Southeastern Kentucky
Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) will host its 2024 spring conference in Somerset-Pulaski County! Stay tuned for details about this event, which brings economic development professionals together from across the state who share a common interest in building and growing Kentucky.
You can watch KAED’s announcement of hosting its next big event in Somerset HERE.
Perry County Tree Lighting Celebration
Perry County residents are inviting you to their 2023 Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, November 17th from 6 pm – 9 pm.
While there, you will get to see the lighting of the musical Christmas tree, drink some hot cocoa, and have a Christmas card photo opportunity for each family for $5.
Perry County will also be having various events this holiday season such as Pink Weekend, a Winter Showcase, a Christmas for Charity event supporting Housing Development Alliance, and much more!
You can learn more on their Facebook page HERE.
CASA of the Appalachian Mountains Hosting Christmas in a Small Town in Prestonsburg
Don’t forget to join CASA of the Appalachian Mountains on November 18th at the Prestonsburg Stage for Christmas in a Small Town.
This is a completely free event with Hot dogs, hot chocolate, toys, face painting, and more while supplies last.
This event is from 12 pm – 4 pm.
They are also pleased to announce that the KY Opry Junior Pros will be performing. You will also have an opportunity to meet with some of our community partners as well and learn more about their services.
If you want to learn more be sure to check out our website at casaofappalachianmtns.org. Or if you are interested in ways to help consider donating toys at our two donation locations in Prestonsburg. The Floyd County Public Library – Children’s Program and Big Lots. These donation boxes will be available from now until November 17th.
Learn more HERE.
Release of Kentucky’s Winning Strategy by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
“Kentucky’s Winning Strategy” is the focus of a new plan released by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce that offers a vision for future talent attraction and business growth in the Commonwealth. In order for Kentucky to achieve its fullest potential, the Chamber has laid out steps that include continuing to transform the Commonwealth’s tax code, building a world-class education system, sustainably investing in infrastructure, leveraging the strengths of our signature industries, improving quality of life, bringing growth to rural communities, and more.
Each of the ten steps in “Kentucky’s Winning Strategy” includes key goals for the Commonwealth’s future—a vision for economic opportunity that is focused on high-quality jobs and a rapidly-growing population and workforce.
Check it out HERE.
Want to Submit to our Roundup?
Well, that is going to do it for this week’s Weekly Roundup!
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
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Apollo’s Corner 🐈
I feel ike that Katy Perry song,
“’Cause you’re hot then you’re cold
You’re yes then you’re no
You’re in then you’re out
You’re up then you’re down.”
That’s literally the temperatures going on outside and i’m NOT liking it.
That is all. Meow 🐾