We are now past Valentine’s Day but there is still so much love in Appalachia.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about our Small Businesses are the Heart ♥️ of Appalachia.
In case you don’t know what we are talking about, you can quickly read about five local Eastern Kentucky businesses that we highlighted this Valentine’s Day week HERE.
These businesses not only serve our Eastern Kentucky region but have also contributed and given back to their community. What better way to show an act of love than to give back selflessly?
Now, onto our latest announcements and news updates from throughout our region.
You’re Invited! To Join the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Broadband Bootcamp
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 begin February 23rd.
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.
Mountain Association is Hosting a “How to Airbnb” Workshop
Mountain Association is hosting a two-part virtual “How to Airbnb” training coming up on February 21 and 28 from 5:45 PM-7:45 PM.
You will receive a toolkit on how to start or improve an Airbnb listing, including information on taxes, marketing, and more.
Get all your questions answered by Jessa Turner from HomeGrown HideAways in Madison County, who will be leading the training.
The cost is $25 and scholarships are available.
You can register for the workshop HERE.
Learn to Code through <Code> Kentucky
Are you interested in a tech career? You can do so with Code Kentucky, where you can learn to code for FREE.
You will gain the following skills:
- Get skills to begin your career in tech
- Join a community of tech professionals and students
- Multiple free classes
- Training offers great benefits
Apply online HERE.
Red River Gorge Public Meeting
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is holding a public meeting on Saturday, March 11, at the Gladie Visitor Center to discuss possible improvements to the Red River Gorge loop (KY 77/KY 715 in Menifee, Powell, and Wolfe counties, to enhance the visitor experience and improve travel conditions.
Click HERE for more information.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will also be hosting a Public Information Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Magoffin County High School to discuss the Mountain Parkway’s Magoffin-Floyd segment.
This is a great opportunity to learn from and talk with MPE project team members.
You can learn more about the parkway project HERE.
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.
City of Hazard City Fellowship & Entrepreneurship Program Accepting Applications
ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS:
The City of Hazard is taking applications for two summer fellowship programs: The City of Hazard Civic Fellowship and the Entrepreneurship Fellowship.
These paid experiences are valuable for anyone interested in local government, politics, public policy, and local economy–anyone who is interested in helping the City of Hazard become better.
You can apply for the program HERE.
The deadline for applications is March 10th!
EKU Establishes Gone Fishin’ Grant
Eastern Kentucky University is investing nearly $25,000 into its new Gone Fishin’ initiative.
The goal is to find new ways to lure people away from their computers and phones by highlighting the beauty of our state. It’ll identify potential opportunities and challenges in developing outdoor activities for families in eastern Kentucky.
To do that, they’re developing new programs at EKU’s campuses across the state, aimed at reconnecting the community, primarily young people, with nature. Throughout the spring semester, the project will assess the feasibility of these programs, which include wildlife certifications, oral history lessons, and wilderness first aid classes.
Floyd County STEM teacher to be recognized on national television
Tabitha Berger, a teacher at the Floyd County School of Innovation in the City of Martin, will be recognized on national television on CBS’s Mission Unstoppable, showcasing her work, as well as the work of her students.
Recently, Berger received a $10,000 grant from the Infosys Foundation where she plans to use the money to create a robotics team at three Floyd County middle schools to help encourage students to join more STEM projects.
You can watch Berger’s segment on Mission Unstoppable Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10:30 a.m. EST on CBS.
Lake Cumberland Tourism receives $175,000 to lead region wayfinding project
Crossing Lake Cumberland will soon be a lot easier for more than four million people who visit the Southern Kentucky waterway every year, thanks to a $175,000 grant from the Kentucky Department of Tourism.
The funds will be used to design and install a wayfinding system covering the 101 miles of Lake Cumberland in Pulaski, Russell, Wayne, McCreary, and Casey counties.
You can read more about the award 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:
February
- P31 Womenpreneur™ Conference, February 25th
Are you a woman who wears many hats and desires to be the best authentic version of herself as she serves others? Then you are a Womanpreneur! This conference is meant for that busy woman who feels like they should be achieving something more, who is always looking for the next adventure.
“Dreaming of that business we wanted to start, that book we wanted to write, or that podcast that we would love to share with the world! The question becomes…when and how? God has called us for such a time as this! The P31 Womenpreneur™ conference was designed to equip women with the network, tools, and mindset strategy to live out a Proverbs 31-woman lifestyle, like a boss! How do we do that? By taking the principles outlined in Titus 2 and turning them into our game plan for success!”
You can buy tickets for the event HERE.
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.