The future of Eastern Kentucky isn’t built by programs alone.
It’s built by people.
It’s built by the entrepreneur who opens a new business on Main Street. The teacher who changes the trajectory of a student’s life. The healthcare professional improving access to care. The community leader who brings neighbors together. The artist preserving our culture. The volunteer who never asks for recognition. The innovator solving tomorrow’s challenges. The student is already making a difference today.
Across Appalachian Kentucky, thousands of individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities are quietly creating opportunity and strengthening the places we call home.
The SOAR Inspires Awards, presented by KCTCS, were created to recognize those people.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 awards, which will be presented on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Corbin Arena, serving as the official kickoff of the 2026 SOAR Summit, presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Before three days of conversations about the future of Eastern Kentucky begin, we’ll first celebrate the people who are already helping build that future every single day.
Celebrating the People Behind the Progress
The theme of this year’s Summit is Building Eastern Kentucky. Together.
That theme recognizes a simple truth. The future of our region won’t be built by one organization, one business, or one community.
It will be built by people working together.
The SOAR Inspires Awards embody that belief by recognizing the individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, service, and commitment are creating lasting change across Appalachia.
These awards aren’t simply about accomplishments.
They’re about impact.
They’re about recognizing the people whose work inspires others to believe in what’s possible for Eastern Kentucky.
Eligibility
While each award has its own specific criteria, most nominations share several common characteristics.
Nominees should demonstrate meaningful leadership, service, innovation, or measurable impact that benefits Appalachian Kentucky. Most awards recognize individuals, organizations, businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, or communities serving one or more of the 54 Appalachian Regional Commission counties served by SOAR. Some awards include additional eligibility requirements, such as age, profession, organizational type, or years in business.
When reviewing nominations, the selection committee will consider not only accomplishments but also the nominee’s lasting impact on their community and the broader region.
Award Categories
Business Person of the Year
Strong businesses create more than jobs; they create opportunity.
The Business Person of the Year Award recognizes a visionary business leader whose innovation, determination, and leadership have driven the growth of their business while strengthening the economy of Appalachian Kentucky. Nominees should demonstrate business excellence, community leadership, and a commitment to investing in the region through economic development and job creation.
Appalachian Leadership Award
Leadership is measured not by titles, but by influence.
The Appalachian Leadership Award honors an individual whose vision, collaboration, and dedication have strengthened communities across Eastern Kentucky. Whether leading in government, education, business, or the nonprofit sector, these leaders inspire others, solve problems, and create lasting positive change.
Community of the Year Award
Communities thrive when local leaders work together around a shared vision.
The Community of the Year Award recognizes a city or county that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in creating opportunities for residents while attracting new investment, businesses, talent, and innovation. The award celebrates collaboration, civic pride, and measurable community impact.
Connect Appalachia Award
Reliable broadband has become essential infrastructure for opportunity.
The Connect Appalachia Award recognizes individuals or organizations expanding broadband access, promoting digital equity, improving digital literacy, and creating new opportunities through technology and remote work. Their efforts help bridge the digital divide while connecting Appalachia to new possibilities.
Healthy Communities Award
Healthy communities create stronger futures.
The Healthy Communities Award recognizes an individual, organization, or collaborative effort working to improve health outcomes across Appalachian Kentucky. Whether through direct healthcare, prevention, wellness initiatives, or innovative community programs, recipients demonstrate measurable improvements in the health and well-being of the region.
Tourism Organization of the Year Award
Tourism tells the story of a place.
The Tourism Organization of the Year Award honors a local or regional tourism organization whose creativity and leadership have elevated Eastern Kentucky as a destination. Through innovative marketing, destination development, and authentic storytelling, these organizations help strengthen local economies while showcasing the beauty and culture of Appalachia.
Startup of the Year Award
Innovation is creating new opportunities throughout Eastern Kentucky.
The Startup of the Year Award recognizes a business five years old or younger that is using innovation, technology, or creative thinking to solve problems, create jobs, and grow beyond traditional markets. This award celebrates entrepreneurs helping shape the next generation of Appalachian businesses.
Appalachian Recovery Award
Recovery changes lives, families, and communities.
The Appalachian Recovery Award honors individuals or organizations working on the front lines of substance use disorder prevention, recovery, workforce reintegration, education, and family support. Their commitment brings hope while helping individuals build brighter futures.
Appalachian Student of the Year Award
The future of Appalachia is already making an impact.
The Appalachian Student of the Year Award recognizes a high school or college student demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and meaningful community involvement. These students exemplify the promise of the next generation.
Appalachian Teacher of the Year Award
Teachers shape lives long after students leave the classroom.
The Appalachian Teacher of the Year Award recognizes an educator whose dedication to academic excellence, mentorship, and community engagement has created a lasting impact on students and the communities they serve.
Young Leader Award
Leadership has no age requirement.
The Young Leader of the Year Award celebrates an individual under the age of 40 whose leadership is creating measurable change across Appalachian Kentucky. Whether through business, education, government, nonprofit work, or community service, these emerging leaders are helping shape the future of the region.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Partner Award
Successful entrepreneurs rarely succeed alone.
The Entrepreneur Ecosystem Partner Award recognizes an organization or individual providing critical support to entrepreneurs through mentorship, technical assistance, access to capital, education, partnerships, or ecosystem building. Their behind-the-scenes work helps new businesses launch, grow, and thrive.
Appalachian Workforce Champion Award
Meaningful employment transforms lives.
The Appalachian Workforce Champion Award honors an individual, employer, organization, or training provider making an exceptional contribution to workforce development. Through innovative programming, partnerships, or direct service, recipients help individuals gain skills, overcome barriers, and connect with meaningful careers.
Appalachian Student-Athlete of the Year Award
Excellence isn’t limited to the classroom or the playing field.
The Appalachian Student-Athlete Award recognizes a high school or college student who demonstrates outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, leadership, and service while representing the values of discipline, perseverance, and Appalachian pride.
Appalachian Arts & Culture Champion Award
Our culture tells the story of who we are.
The Appalachian Arts & Culture Champion Award recognizes individuals, artists, organizations, musicians, storytellers, and cultural institutions preserving and advancing Appalachia’s artistic and cultural identity. Through creativity and heritage, these recipients ensure our traditions continue inspiring future generations.
Appalachian Storytelling & Media Impact Award
Stories shape perceptions.
The Appalachian Storytelling & Media Impact Award recognizes journalists, filmmakers, photographers, broadcasters, publishers, and content creators whose authentic storytelling elevates the people, opportunities, and progress of Appalachian Kentucky while helping reshape the narrative of the region.
Appalachian Innovator Award
Innovation happens everywhere—including Appalachia.
The Appalachian Innovator Award celebrates individuals, organizations, or companies introducing bold ideas that improve lives and create opportunity across sectors, including technology, healthcare, workforce development, education, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and community development.
Appalachian Preservation & Heritage Award
Understanding where we came from helps guide where we’re going.
The Appalachian Preservation & Heritage Award recognizes those dedicated to preserving the history, traditions, landmarks, stories, and cultural resources that define Appalachia. Their work ensures future generations remain connected to the region’s rich heritage.
Appalachian Civic Impact Award
Many of the region’s greatest leaders never seek recognition.
The Appalachian Civic Impact Award honors individuals whose volunteerism, servant leadership, and commitment to community have strengthened Eastern Kentucky. Whether through civic engagement, public service, grassroots initiatives, or decades of volunteer work, these individuals embody the spirit of service that makes Appalachia unique.
More Than an Awards Ceremony
The SOAR Inspires Awards are more than an evening of recognition.
They are the official beginning of the 2026 SOAR Summit, presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission, setting the stage for three days focused on collaboration, innovation, and practical solutions for Eastern Kentucky.
Following the awards ceremony, attendees will experience a reimagined Summit centered on participation, regional leadership, and real-world application. The Summit will feature the EKY Experience presented by Appalachian Regional Healthcare, FOCUS Breakout Sessions, hands-on workshops, TenTalks, networking opportunities, and inspiring keynote presentations, all designed to showcase what’s working across the region and help communities replicate success.
The people recognized through the SOAR Inspires Awards embody the very spirit of this year’s Summit.
They remind us that while we gather to discuss what’s next, there are already countless individuals and organizations leading the way.
Submit a Nomination
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized?
Whether they’re leading a business, educating future generations, preserving Appalachian culture, expanding opportunity, serving their community, or quietly making a difference every day, we encourage you to nominate them for a SOAR Inspires Award.
Help us celebrate the people whose work inspires others and demonstrates what’s possible when we work together to build a stronger Eastern Kentucky.