When people think about economic development, they often picture new factories, business recruitment, or ribbon cuttings.
Those things matter.
But there’s another side of economic development that receives far less attention.
People.
Communities don’t grow simply because jobs are created. They grow when people choose to build their lives there.
For decades, Eastern Kentucky has experienced population decline as generations left in search of opportunity elsewhere. While creating jobs remains one of SOAR’s highest priorities, we also recognize that building a stronger region requires attracting new residents who can contribute to our communities, support local businesses, enroll their children in our schools, volunteer, worship, coach little league, and become our neighbors.
That is exactly why Shaping Our Appalachian Region launched EKY Remote two years ago.
Not as the solution to population loss.
But as one creative strategy among many to help build the future of Eastern Kentucky.
Bringing Opportunity Home
Remote work has fundamentally changed where people can live.
Today, thousands of professionals have careers with companies located hundreds, or even thousands, of miles away while working from wherever they choose.
Instead of asking those jobs to relocate, SOAR asked a different question. What if the people did?
EKY Remote helps remote workers and their families discover something many of us already know.
Eastern Kentucky offers an incredible quality of life.
Beautiful mountains.
Small towns where neighbors know one another.
Outdoor recreation.
Lower cost of living.
Growing downtowns.
A strong sense of community.
And perhaps most importantly, places and spaces where people genuinely want to build a life.
That unique combination helped earn SOAR national recognition when MakeMyMove named EKY Remote the nation’s second-best Remote Worker Attraction Program and recognized Eastern Kentucky as one of only six “Most Welcoming Communities” in America.
That recognition belongs to the communities across our region that have welcomed new neighbors with open arms.
The Numbers Tell an Incredible Story
Since launching the program, EKY Remote has helped relocate:
- 78 families
- 227 new residents
- 78 children
- Families relocating from 31 states
- Families choosing 31 different Eastern Kentucky counties to call home
Collectively, these new residents bring more than $7.4 million in annual wages into Eastern Kentucky every year.
The average remote worker earns approximately $95,000 annually, while the average household income exceeds $134,000.
These aren’t jobs being created temporarily.
These are paychecks being spent locally.
- Families buying groceries.
- Supporting local restaurants.
- Shopping in our downtowns.
- Hiring contractors.
- Joining churches.
- Enrolling children in schools.
- Investing in our communities.
In fact, families relocating through EKY Remote have already purchased more than $10 million in real estate throughout the region.
That is long-term investment in Eastern Kentucky.
Building Strong Communities Starts with the Right People
SOAR’s goal has never been to simply increase numbers.
We’re intentionally looking for people who want to become part of Eastern Kentucky.
Every applicant goes through an extensive screening process that includes employment verification, income verification, and criminal background checks before being accepted into the program.
Participants receive a $5,000 relocation incentive, paid in two installments.
- The first payment is made after they purchase a home and officially relocate to the region.
- The second is provided after they have lived in Eastern Kentucky for one year.
The incentive isn’t simply about moving. It’s about putting down roots.
The Work Is Just Beginning
The Kentucky General Assembly recognized the value of this work by including continued funding for EKY Remote in the 2026–2028 biennial budget.
That investment will allow SOAR to help relocate at least 75 additional families over the next two years.
But our next chapter is even more intentional.
We’re focusing on reconnecting people who already have ties to Eastern Kentucky.
That includes former residents who left to pursue careers but now work remotely.
It also includes graduates of Eastern Kentucky’s public and private colleges and universities who may now have the flexibility to choose where they live.
Many never stopped loving this region.
Now they have an opportunity to come home.
Our Biggest Challenge Isn’t Interest. It’s Housing.
Perhaps the biggest surprise since launching EKY Remote has been the overwhelming demand.
Unfortunately, we’ve also learned one important lesson. We simply don’t have enough housing.
SOAR has lost hundreds of qualified remote workers who wanted to move to Eastern Kentucky because they could not find suitable housing.
That represents millions of dollars in wages, investment, and community growth that ultimately went somewhere else.
This is why SOAR is now working to bring together home builders, developers, investors, and community partners to explore new housing opportunities across the region.
Housing is no longer simply a construction issue.
It is an economic development issue.
If we want to continue attracting talent, stop population outmigration, grow our communities, and build Eastern Kentucky, we must increase the supply of quality housing throughout the region.
The Best Measure of Success? The People Who Chose to Call Eastern Kentucky Home.
Statistics help tell the story of EKY Remote.
But the people who have made Eastern Kentucky home tell it even better.
Every family arrives with its own reason for moving. Some were searching for a slower pace of life. Others wanted to be closer to nature, raise a family in a welcoming community, or simply find a place where they could feel connected.
What they’ve discovered is something many of us have known all along.
Eastern Kentucky isn’t just a beautiful place to visit.
It’s a place to belong.
“Moving to the mountains can open up a world of new experiences and happiness! If you’re considering the leap, take it. It’s so worth it!!”
— Christina, relocated from Illinois
“We’ve now been here one week, and it already feels like we’ve lived here for years. Our community is welcoming, helpful, and genuinely kind — everywhere we go, we feel like part of the family.”
— Chelsea, relocated from South Dakota
“This opportunity gave me the chance to recalibrate, try new things, and get a work-life balance.”
— Nate, relocated from California
“What I love most about this community is the authenticity; there’s a quiet strength in Appalachia that makes you feel grounded and gives you space to rebuild without pressure.”
— Angie, relocated from Arkansas
These stories remind us that EKY Remote is about far more than relocation incentives or economic statistics.
It’s about people finding community.
It’s about families putting down roots.
It’s about children growing up in neighborhoods where people know one another.
And it’s about proving what we’ve always believed… that Eastern Kentucky has something truly special to offer.
Building Eastern Kentucky Together
EKY Remote is not simply about recruiting remote workers.
It’s about strengthening communities.
- Growing local economies.
- Supporting our schools.
- Increasing homeownership.
- Creating opportunities for small businesses.
- And ensuring more people can experience everything that makes Eastern Kentucky special.
The future of our region will be built in many ways.
Through entrepreneurship.
Through workforce development.
Through innovation.
Through new industries.
And yes, by welcoming new neighbors who choose to build their lives here.
If you’re a remote worker considering a move to Eastern Kentucky, or if you’re a builder, developer, or investor interested in helping us create more housing opportunities, we’d love to start the conversation.
To learn more about EKY Remote, contact Latasha Friend at latasha@soar-ky.org or visit EKYRemote.com.
Because building Eastern Kentucky isn’t just about creating jobs, it’s about creating places where people choose to call home.