The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently awarded more than $40 million to Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) as part of its inaugural Recompete Pilot Program, a powerful initiative aimed at transforming workforce participation in economically distressed areas. Eastern Kentucky, historically impacted by the decline of the coal industry, will soon benefit from resources, training, and support to bridge the prime-age employment gap in the region, focusing on healthcare, energy, and technology.

SOAR’s Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan was one of 22 finalists chosen to receive this award. Backed by strong leadership, including the support of Congressman Hal Rogers, Governor Andy Beshear, the Kentucky General Assembly, and Craft Philanthropy, this project brings together a coalition focused on empowering Eastern Kentuckians to re-enter the workforce and build sustainable career paths. This ambitious effort targets individuals in the prime working-age range (25-54) across 12 Appalachian counties (Bell, Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, Pike, Harlan, Leslie, Knott, Letcher, Perry, and Knox counties), addressing regional employment disparities through locally driven solutions.

“Recompete targets the hardest hit and most economically distressed areas where working-age employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal to close this gap through flexible, locally driven investments,” said Ben Page, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development at the EDA.  “This award aims to break the cycles of generational poverty prevalent across many families in Eastern Kentucky, proving out a model for economic revitalization for generations to come.”

The Power of the Runway Recompete Plan

This initiative, known as the Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan, is a multipronged approach consisting of seven projects designed to create meaningful, long-term employment pathways. Here’s a closer look at the key components of the plan:

• Eastern Kentucky Workforce Training and Support Network
  This project connects participants with training and support services, including addiction recovery assistance, GED resources, and entrepreneurial mentorship. Working closely with the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, participants can access personalized guidance to overcome employment barriers and pursue stable careers.
• Appalachian Digital Career Academy
  SOAR’s Digital Career Academy will equip participants with vital digital skills to secure remote work opportunities. Through partnerships with organizations like Code Kentucky, participants will access specialized training, employment support, and internet-enabled devices to ensure digital accessibility.
• Outreach and Retention
  Through a network of peer mentors and community partners, this project ensures sustained engagement and reduces dropout rates. Mentors with similar backgrounds to participants offer valuable one-on-one support to build confidence and guide individuals back into the workforce.
• Future Tech Transfer
  By introducing new technologies to essential service providers in the region, this project aims to improve employment outcomes in sectors like childcare, housing, and transportation. The program helps local firms remain competitive while creating additional job opportunities.
• Healthcare Careers Training Centers
  Through training centers at Appalachian Regional Healthcare and Pikeville Medical Center, participants can prepare for in-demand healthcare careers. Training will cover roles such as LPNs, medical assistants, and behavioral technicians, offering a pathway to stable, well-paying jobs.
• Management, Equity, and Governance
  This administrative layer ensures program accountability and maximizes the project’s value for participants. Through collaborations with the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute, SOAR will track outcomes and publish insights on the project’s impact.

Why It Matters

The Recompete Program empowers communities like Eastern Kentucky by addressing barriers to employment in regions with prime-age employment significantly lower than the national average. For many families facing generational poverty, this is more than an opportunity; it’s a gateway to financial stability, regional growth, and future prosperity.

“We have the best workforce in the country with individuals who take great pride in their skills. Given the work ethic of our region, this grant could be a game-changer in the hands of SOAR, an organization already shaping a brighter future in Kentucky’s Appalachian Region,” said Congressman Hal Rogers, Dean of the US House of Representatives and SOAR Co-Principal Officer. “They are readily able to connect our people to the training and resources they need. As we continue rebounding from the devastating decline of the coal industry, this investment will better prepare our workforce for the healthcare, energy, and tech sectors without leaving their hometowns in the mountains. Our communities have ramped up transportation and infrastructure to prepare for new businesses, and this grant will bridge the gaps for our workforce as well.”

“This investment will ease barriers to employment and support the hardworking people of Eastern Kentucky,” said Governor Andy Beshear, SOAR Co-Principal Officer. “This is a region that deserves our country’s thanks and investment. The people of Eastern Kentucky mined the coal that powered our country through two world wars and helped build the strongest middle class the world has ever seen. We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for prioritizing investment in our region and our people.”

Here are what others have to say:

“SOAR is incredibly excited to be selected for funding under EDA’s Recompete Pilot Program. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of SOAR’s Co-Principal Officers, Congressman Hal Rogers and Governor Andy Beshear, the Kentucky General Assembly, and Craft Philanthropy,” said Colby Hall, Executive Director of SOAR. “Over the next five years, we look forward to working with our project partners to successfully guide thousands of Eastern Kentuckians in the prime age employment gap back into employment.”

“This General Assembly took the opportunity to invest $4 million in this critical federal matching program. Just like we are not finished with coal, it’s vital to take an all-of-the-above approach to investment that powers our skilled workforce,” Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers said.  This award breathes new life into southeastern Kentucky, creating jobs that bring prosperity while preserving our small-town values. Our communities are ready, willing, and able, and the possibilities for growth in healthcare, energy, and other technology fields are endless.”

“Craft Philanthropy’s mission is to help people help themselves. We work to unleash the American Dream throughout the state, with a focus on Eastern Kentucky,” said Jane Brady Knight, Executive Director of Craft Philanthropy. “The EDA Recompete grant presents a tremendous opportunity to rally together and get real results. It will take the entire community to achieve our goals, and we are committed for decades to come to produce sustainable results that demonstrate just how strong the American Dream is for every individual in this region.”

The Recompete program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. The statute authorized $1 billion for the program. To date, EDA has appropriated $200 million for the program.”  

Join the Movement

Eastern Kentucky’s Runway Recompete Plan exemplifies a community-focused approach to regional economic development. This transformative project brings together leaders, employers, and residents to make generational change a reality. We invite you to be part of this movement and join SOAR’s mission to support Eastern Kentucky’s workforce.

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