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
Southwest Virginia Sunshine
Appalachian Voices and our partners were proud to co-host the Southwest Virginia Solar Fair on May 9, 2017.
You are my sunshine … in Southwest Virginia
Last week we co-hosted the first annual Solar Fair in Wise County along with our partners in the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia — all to showcase the economic benefits of energy from the sun.
D.C. sends a ray of hope to Southwest Virginia
Through the dark clouds of the Trump administration’s agenda for rolling back or killing off programs critical to the health of Appalachian communities and the environment, a bright spot has emerged — $10 million for repurposing old coal mines in Southwest Virginia for new economic opportunities.
Congress includes $10 million for Southwest Virginia coal communities in spending plan
Contact: Adam Wells, New Economy Program Manager, 276-679-1691,…
Get Out the Sunscreen: Solar is Coming to Southwest Virginia
In early May, Appalachian Voices will co-sponsor two events to help usher solar energy into Southwest Virginia: the Southwest Virginia Solar fair on May 9 and the Southwest Virginia Economic Forum on May 10.
Southwest Virginia Residents Hold Healthcare Forum
Over 130 residents from Southwest Virginia attended an educational forum on the potential impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
