It’s the last Friday of February and it’s been a busy time for Appalachia, but that does not mean it needs to end there.
Here are a few more things happening in our mountains that could benefit you, a friend, or your community.
Let’s dive right in!
Introduction to Grant Writing Workshop Available
Kentucky’s Office of Rural Health is presenting two grant workshops for those interested in writing grants.
The first of the two is planned for April 19, 2023, in Pikeville and the second will be at Murray State University on April 28, 2023.
These grant writing workshops will be half-day sessions, and all attendees will get a free sub to Grant Station.
You can apply for the Murray event HERE.
The link for the Pikeville event will be added shortly.
Go Red for Women Scholarship available for High School Girls
February is American Heart Month and we want to share about The Eastern Kentucky STEM Goes Red Scholarship opportunity.
The American Heart Association Go Red for Women movement developed this scholarship program in honor of Carol Barr, with the goal of bridging the gap between Eastern Kentucky students’ interests in pursuing a career in a STEM field and achieving their goals.
The deadline to apply is March 17, 2023.
You can download the application HERE.
Invest 606 Final Pitch Competition
Join Invest 606 for their Final Pitch as seven Invest 606 Finalists pitch their businesses to win a $15,000 Grand Prize.
Second-place winners will take home $8,000 and third-place winners will take home $4,000.
The Final Pitch will be held in person at 2nd & Main in Corbin and on Facebook Live. Show your support for these amazing businesses and Eastern Kentucky. Two of these businesses were recently featured in our Small Businesses are the Heart of Appalachia blog.
You can learn more about the event HERE.
Edmonson County receives grant money for Cleaner Water, Tourism, and Schools
More than $10.7 million in grant money was awarded to Edmonson County to support career and technical education, tourism marketing and a cleaner water project.
$10 million was awarded to Edmonson County Public Schools to support renovations and an expansion at Edmonson County High School’s Local Area Vocational Education Center. Renovations will impact approximately 21,000 square feet of the existing building, and the project will also add an additional 12,550 square feet to help the school’s career and technical program grow. The school will also add an early childhood education pathway.
$736,590 in grant money was awarded towards the Cleaner Water Program funding to the Edmonson County Water District. The funds will go toward maintenance projects throughout the water system, allowing for improved service to customers.
$26,387 was awarded to the Edmonson County Tourist and Convention Commission to support travel marketing and promotion.
Did you miss the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Broadband Bootcamp? Do not fret! You can still join!
Many local leaders across Appalachia have had significant broadband work added to their plates recently. If it feels like you have been asked to become a broadband expert overnight — ARC is here to help. Understanding the vast array of broadband funding opportunities available, and knowing how to navigate the partnerships and strategies required to ensure your community is served doesn’t need to be your job alone.
The Appalachian Regional Commission, in partnership with the National Broadband Resource Hub, is offering a Zoom-in broadband bootcamp of one-hour sessions over six weeks that will cover everything about broadband that local leaders need to know.
Each session will also have plenty of time for people to ask questions of the broadband experts specific to their community’s unique situation.
The sessions will cover foundational broadband knowledge, an overview of the typical broadband planning process, funding and financing, partnership structures and strategies, broadband mapping and data, as well as digital inclusion.
Attendees just need to register once to attend any or all of the sessions.
You can register HERE.
Courses began February 23rd, but will be offering new lessons every Thursdays on various broadband need topics!
Applications Now Open for Rural Libraries Broadband Initiative
Partners for Rural Impact is announcing the Rural Library eConnectivity Community Anchors program, now open for applications!
Six librarians from Kentucky’s Appalachian region will be chosen to participate in a fellowship from March 2023 to October 2024. Fellows will be trained in StriveTogether’s Theory of Action and the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Results Count® Framework to strengthen their role as community anchors, form strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, and increase broadband connectivity rates in their communities. Each fellow will create an action plan to implement in their community and will present it at the 2024 Rural Summit.
The application can be found HERE and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
2023 Rogers Explorer Program Accepting Applications
The Rogers Explorers program is a three-day, two-night program focused on helping 8th-grade students learn skills in leadership, math, science, and community service.
If selected, the students will attend the program in Williamsburg, Columbia, Richmond, Morehead, Wilmore, Pikeville, or Barbourville during the summer before their ninth-grade year.
All lodging, meals, and program expenses (with the exception of transportation to and from the program) are offered at no cost.
The program is developed, coordinated, and supervised by the Center for Rural Development in partnership with the University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Asbury University, University of Pikeville, and Union College.
The deadline to apply is February 28, 2023.
You can learn more about the program and find the application form HERE.
You can also contact Amy Ellis at, aellis@centertech.com, or call, (606) 677-6000.
Gateway Regional Arts Center Selected to Host First-Ever Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Program
The Gateway Regional Arts Center has been announced as the official partner for the statewide Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Program. Applications for the first-ever Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate are due by February 28, 2023.
The NYPL celebrates our nation’s top youth poets who are committed to artistic excellence, civic engagement, and social impact. Teen writers (ages 13-19) submit a portfolio of their original poetry and a CV that showcases their artistic excellence and community impact. Local and State Youth Poets Laureate participate in dozens of national convenings, workshops and performances each year.
Currently, the National Youth Poet Laureate Program serves programs in more than 70 cities, states, and counties, and has been featured in every major news outlet in the country including CNN, PBS, NPR, BBC, NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post, and The Guardian. Youth Poets Laureate have graced the stages of City Halls, the Library of Congress, the White House & the U.S. Capital.
Click HERE to submit your application or call 859-498-6264 for more information.
Resources for Farm Recovery
Join the Economic Recovery Support Function, led by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, for an informative webinar about agriculture resources that are available to help farmers and ranchers recover from the July flooding in Eastern Kentucky.
Representatives from the Kentucky Horticulture Council, the Community Farm Alliance and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will share information about programs that are currently helping farming communities and that may be available to you.
In addition, individuals who are currently supporting disaster recovery for agriculture in Eastern Kentucky will be present to answer questions specific to your needs. Don’t miss this event that offers you a forum to learn and build connections for one-on-one engagement.
The webinar is planned for March 2nd at 2 p.m. You can register for the event HERE.
Register for our first-ever EKY Gala!
The nomination link may be gone from our website, but there is no need to fret!
You can register for our first-ever SOAR EKY Gala, presented by Kentucky Power, and celebrate all those making a difference across Eastern Kentucky.
Join us on April 29, 2023, at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. Walk the red carpet, enjoy a reception and networking, and an awards ceremony highlighting the stars of our region.
Want to Submit something for our Weekly Round?
Know of a program that needs applicants from our region?
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:
March
- 4th Annual Bridges out of Addiction Symposium, March 7
The Fourth Annual Bridges Out of Addiction Symposium is an opportunity for community members to build relationships and learn about resources necessary to better address the local substance use disorder crisis.
The event is planned for March 7, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Ashland Community & Technical College.
This important event is open to all and is free!
You can register for the event HERE.
- Gathering for Recovery Solutions, March 9
The second Appalachian Gathering for Recovery Solutions aims to provide in-person communication and networking opportunities among recovery programs and resources in Eastern Kentucky.
It is a free, one-day gathering at Union College in Barbourville.
Scheduled speakers are Tim Robinson, CEO of Addiction Recovery Care; Dr. Al J. Mooney, author of The Recovery Book; Geoff Wilson, president of the Kentucky Association of Addiction Professionals, and other experienced practitioners from Appalachia, who will discuss advances in substance-abuse recovery.
You can find the registration link HERE.
- Introduction to Grant Writing and Federal Grants Workshop, March 9-10
Join us for a Grants 101 and 201 Workshop at Morehead State University from 9 am – 4 pm. This hands-on introduction to grant writing will provide the steps and resources to compete and secure grant dollars. Registration is just $25.
A limited number of scholarships are available. Email info@soar-ky.org for more information.
You can register for the grant workshops HERE.
- Coffee & Tea Week in Ashland, Ky., March 19 – 25
Coffee and tea enthusiasts unite! Ashland will be hosting a week full of caffeinated events for their first-ever coffee and tea week.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, you can stay updated with announcements HERE.
You can see more Ashland events on their city calendar HERE.
April
- Morehead Kentucky Proud Expo, April 28 – 29
Mark your calendars for the 2023 Morehead KY Proud Expo!
Kentucky Proud certified vendors from across the state will be on hand featuring woodworking, jams, wines, jellies, and so much more. Open to the public and admission is FREE!
Show times are Friday, April 28, 5 pm-8 pm and Saturday, April 29, 10 pm-5 pm. We
*All vendors must be Kentucky Proud certified. If you’d like to be a vendor, please call 606-780-4342, option 1 for more information.
You can learn more about the event HERE.
May
- 24th Annual Big Sandy Women Symposium, May 2
An action-packed day celebrating women and their accomplishments in the business world, hosted by the Kentucky SBDC.
Register 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.