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 individuals and 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, Virginia, 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. Since our New Economy for Appalachia program began in 2015, we have worked with community members and leaders to make local visions a reality, channeling state, federal and private resources to create new opportunities for residents and businesses, including helping communities prepare for natural disasters.

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 utilize federal funding to help mountain communities build resilience and diversify their economies by implementing locally-driven revitalization projects. We also work to bring investments in solar and other renewable energies to the region.

Our Mountain Ascent newsletter celebrates the victories in Southwest Virginia’s efforts to build a new economy in the coalfields.