A New Economy for Appalachia
America’s energy landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, resulting in substantial economic impacts in Central Appalachia, which has historically been driven by the coal industry. The inevitable decline of the coal industry is causing hardship for many families in the region and serves as a wake-up call that now is the time to diversify our economy.
A window of opportunity has opened for Central Appalachia. Recognizing this, a growing number of local residents, elected officials, economic development leaders and institutions are making choices to move toward a new economy, and calling for policies and ways of thinking to carry the region into a future of economic resilience and shared prosperity.
Appalachian Voices is integrally involved in this challenge, bringing to bear the four key principles of community engagement, economic diversification, land restoration and growing the clean energy sector. Our New Economy for Appalachia program is based out of our Norton, Va., office in the heart of Southwest Virginia’s coal country.
We facilitate opportunities for residents from all walks of life and with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to become more engaged in sharing ideas and making decisions about their economic future. We hosted community visioning forums and built an online “wiki” site to provide citizens an opportunity to make their voices heard. In 2016, we participated in the University of Virginia College at Wise’s “Economic Forum of 2016,” a first-ever event of its scope, drawing hundreds of citizens, economic development experts and others.
While our efforts are focused in Southwest Virginia, we recognize that the movement for a just transition away from the coal economy is a regional one, and closely collaborate with partner groups working toward similar goals. Together with citizens, leaders and organizations across Central Appalachia, we are pressing for increased federal funding to help mountain communities diversify their economies by transforming previously mined lands into sites for sensible economic development, and working to bring investments in solar and other renewable energies to the region.
Our Mountain Ascent newsletter celebrates the victories in our efforts to build a new economy in the coalfields.
Latest News
Revitalizing Pennington Gap: Clean energy and economic investment in Southwest Virginia
As Central Appalachia adapts to a changing modern economy that is less dependent on traditional economic drivers like the coal industry and agriculture, Pennington Gap stands as an inspiring example of what a committed, collaborative approach to economic renewal can achieve.
Homecoming: Why rural community economic development matters
For too long, Appalachia’s small, rural communities have been largely left to experience their own slow decline in isolation.
Second round of Community Strong sessions scheduled for Southwest Virginia communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 18, 2024 CONTACTDan Radmacher, Media…
Communities identify priorities during first listening sessions of multi-year project
In late April, Appalachian Voices started our first round of Community Strong listening sessions, part of a multi-year project to plan, design and implement community-driven projects.
Building energy-resilient communities in far Southwest Virginia
Whether it’s a medical device, like a CPAP machine, or heating and cooling during extreme temperatures, electricity is an important part of a community’s overall resilience. This is especially true during local disasters and power outages.
‘Every Stick:’ SWVA Biochar Uses Local Waste to Create Quality Soil
A Southwest Virginia company’s biochar product is carbon-negative and has applications in agriculture.
