This blog is a place to find and share stories and resources about economic transition and community economic development work in Appalachia. You’ll find everything from personal perspectives to research reports to informational webinars. You can also contribute stories or resources from your work that you think can benefit others using the guest post option. If you’re looking for a particular post or interested in a sector or topic, you can search or sort by category in the toolbar on the right.
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Build a brighter future for your school and community with solar energy! Adding solar panels to your school building or even the whole district can bring significant cost savings to your bottom line. We can help with solar funding for schools! Educational institutions can apply for a direct grant sub-award to offset up to 20% […]
Going solar is cost and energy efficient, but is your roof solar-ready? Commercial solar projects come in many shapes and forms, from flat roofs to pitched-roof buildings to ground-mounted installations. Roof-mounted solar arrays are a great option for entities that own their building but don’t have a lot of space for a ground installation. For […]
The US government’s largest single investment in the Appalachian food system just hit our region. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $42 million in Central Appalachia to support food and farm businesses with market entry and strengthen existing connections with urban markets through increased efficiency in aggregation and distribution, meaning food and farm […]
FASWG Processing, Aggregation, and Distribution (PAD) members have launched a Facebook group to connect producers of all skill levels and agricultural interests in the region. The Central Appalachian Producers Group was created by CAN participant Appalachian Sustainable Development and other regional partners to build community, share tips and tricks with their peers, and share what’s […]
With a new design, the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund website is ready to catalyze solar development in coal-impacted communities across Central Appalachia. The new site design offers a refreshed application page to help an organization determine if they qualify for a grant and a graphic impacts page showing this impressive program’s reach. Make sure to […]
In 2022, the Central Appalachian Network (CAN) had the opportunity to distribute Rapid Response Mini-Grants to fund projects for CAN Clean Energy Clean Working Group participants to advance and defend clean energy policies in Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. These are the success stories of those grants. Energy Efficient West Virginia (EEWV) is […]
PROJECT DETAILS FUNDING: In September 2022, the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund awarded High Rocks Educational Corporation a $14,630 grant as part of High Rocks’ $56,275 total investment in a solar installation. PLACEMENT: Construction on a 19-kilowatt solar array was completed in April 2023 on High Rocks’ campus by local installer Solar Holler. ENERGY SAVINGS: Its […]
PROJECT DETAILS FUNDING: Marion County Humane Society received a grant from the Solar Finance Fund totaling over $29,000. PLACEMENT: Solar Holler installed a 158-panel solar system onto the roof of the new building, which should be complete by May 2023. It will generate 57 kilowatts of electricity for the shelter. IMPACT: By saving money on […]
In 2022, CAN had the opportunity to distribute Rapid Response Mini-Grants to fund projects for CAN Clean Energy Clean Working Group participants to advance and defend clean energy policies in Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. These are the success stories of those grants. Rural Action is driving to a future that uplifts Appalachian […]
Build a brighter future for your nonprofit and community by powering your organization with solar energy! Adding solar panels can bring big cost savings to your bottom line. Nonprofit organizations, including homeless shelters, educational institutions, medical centers, and faith institutions, can apply for a direct grant sub-award to offset up to 20% of total project […]