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“May” we share some great news with you?

Posted on 4 weeks ago

It’s a busy time for our Appalachian mountains so let’s go straight into our Weekly Roundup!

$500K Award Will Help Local Partners Access Federal Funds

On Thursday, May 11th, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) joined more than 300 federal, regional, and local partners at a joint Rural Partners Network and Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities Forum in Pineville, Kentucky.

The forum was an opportunity to share strategies to help Kentucky Highlands communities build capacity and better access federal funding opportunities. 

During the forum, ARC announced nearly $500,000 in grants through READY LDDs, one of four learning tracks offered by our community capacity-building initiative, READY Appalachia. Today’s awards will help five Local Development Districts (LDDs) in Appalachian Kentucky better support local governments and nonprofits to identify, access, and manage new federal funding opportunities. 

Congratulations to the awardees! Stay tuned for another exciting READY LDDs award announcement in June. 

  • Big Sandy Area Development District, $100,000
  • Cumberland Valley Area Development District, $100,000
  • Gateway Area Development District, $100,000
  • Kentucky River Area Development District, $100,000
  • Lake Cumberland Area Development District, $99,975

Country Music Highway Tribute Show

We announced our summer plans for the Country Music Highway Tribute Show, presented by Double Kwik, at our first-ever gala.

On that note, we are asking, music Artists/Performers, arts & crafts Vendors, and food Vendors to be a part of these events.

We will have three shows — two free outdoor events in Paintsville and Whitesburg – and a paid show at the Mountain Arts Center.

We are looking for local performers, artists, food vendors, and arts & crafts vendors to come be a part of this, you can apply for any of these available HERE.

You can learn more about the Tribute Show HERE. 

USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series

For those who don’t know, the month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

The USDA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is excited to co-host the USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop series scheduled weekly beginning Tuesdays, May 9 – Tuesday, June 6 from 2-3:30 pm Eastern time.

The workshop series gathers farmers and ranchers, faith leaders, rural health providers, USDA employees, and Federal, state, and university partners to talk and discuss mental health challenges, stressors, and the resources and services available to address them. 

Learn more about the workshops HERE. 

In case you missed the last meeting, you can watch Tuesday’s recording HERE – the theme was Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention: Data, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Passcode: R2E?3xVU

The deadline for Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition is around the corner!

The deadline for the Startup Appalachia Pitch Competition, presented by Community Trust Bancorp. is May 15, which is right around the corner, it’s this coming Monday to be exact!

We are looking to invest in Appalachia Kentucky’s next big idea! 

If that’s you, we want to hear from you.

If you are a teacher at a high school or a professor at a university, I am sure you have heard a student with the next big idea for Appalachia, why not encourage them to apply?

Or if you are a community leader who happens to hear of a great idea from their community member, encourage them to apply for the competition!

They will not be alone – our Innovation Team will work with applicants to work on their idea and pitch presentation for the main competition which will be happening Thursday, June 15 at Morehead State University.

Finalists will compete for a shot at a $10,000 cash prize. 

However, by being a finalist, you are guaranteed $500.

Deadline Extended for Build Strong Engineering Camp!

The Build Strong Engineering Camp will be an unforgettable summer experience for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics! 

In this FREE 6-day day camp, students will learn about science, mathematics, and engineering as well as the conduct, ethics, and professionalism required for success in these fields.

The camp will be held at West Carter High School and is for Carter County students only. 

This hands-on day camp experience for rising 8th, 9th, and 10th-grade students will culminate with students engineering, constructing, and testing one of three basic bridge types. Topics will include scientific measurement and error, linear motion, forces, gravity, free-body diagram analysis, vectors, algebra, trigonometry, and several engineering concepts.

During this camp, students will apply science and engineering ideas to design, evaluate and support solutions to real-world problems, and meet professors and college students studying education and in the STEM fields.

Camp Dates: May 29 – June 03, 2023

Camp Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Participants: 8th, 9th and 10th graders

Cost: There is no cost for this camp

Application Deadline: May 15th

Lunch will be provided by the cafeteria Tuesday – Friday and Catered Monday

Camp Location: West Carter High School, Carter County, KY

If you live in this county or region, you can find the application link for the camp HERE.

Mountain Association is Hiring!

Our partners at the Mountain Association are hiring! 

They are in need and searching for a Client Success Coordinator who will ensure that Mountain Association clients have access to proper services and resources as needed, including financing from their Lending Team, technical assistance from their Business Support Services Team, and recommendations from their Energy Team. 

They will help clients in Eastern Kentucky with cash flow analysis and other business analytics to identify areas for improvement, among other things.

The main office location is flexible between their offices in Berea, Prestonsburg, & Hazard, though staff currently have a hybrid work schedule where they can work from home as their position allows.

You can learn more about the position HERE.

BRIGHT Leadership Kentucky accepting applications

There is still time to apply for the BRIGHT Kentucky Class of 2023!

If you live and/or work in Eastern Kentucky, this program is for you.

BRIGHT Kentucky is designed to build the capacity of next-generation leaders (average age 21-40) in the Appalachian region of Kentucky to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development.

BRIGHT Kentucky engages bright, entrepreneurial minds from all sectors and regions to offer non-partisan, ethical leadership training, expanded networks, and mentors designed especially for residents of the 54 Kentucky counties of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

What are you waiting for?

Apply TODAY!

Want to Submit something for our Weekly Round?

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

Future events to add to your calendar:

May

  • Paintsville Grant Workshop, May 18- 19

We are rolling out yet another grant workshop, which will be hosted in Paintsville and brought to you by the partnership we created with the Paintsville & Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Association, and Grant Ready Kentucky. 

This hands-on introduction to grant writing will provide the steps and resources to compete and secure grant dollars.

Registration is $25 and all writing materials, printed materials, and food will be provided.

You can register for the workshop HERE.

June

  • TEK Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, June 2nd

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Inez starting at 1:30 pm for the new TEK Center!

You can learn more about the ceremony and its location HERE.

  • 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.

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