The Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan
*2023-2024 Recompete Implementation Funding Awardee
Application Title: The Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan
Lead Applicant: Shaping Our Appalachian Region
State(s) Served: Kentucky
Applicant-Defined Region: 12 counties in eastern Kentucky
Contact: Colby Hall (colby.hall@soar-ky.org)
The Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan, led by Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), will receive approximately $40 million to connect prime-age residents to resources and training for good jobs in a region of eastern Kentucky heavily impacted by the decline of coal mining. Led by a network of life and career coaches, residents in the region will receive step-by-step support and referrals to successfully complete paths to remote work, clean energy manufacturing, and healthcare opportunities. These outreach and training initiatives will also feature dedicated attention to individuals in recovery from substance abuse. In addition, SOAR is partnering with two anchor employers, Pikeville Medical Center and Appalachian Regional Healthcare, to fund the construction of new training facilities. Finally, SOAR plans to use its regional network to incubate and accelerate small businesses and entrepreneurs that address childcare, transportation, and housing challenges to create long-term solutions to employment barriers.