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.
Click here to find CAN’s COVID-19 Resource page
This blog was written by ACEnet staff and originally published on their website here. Lisa Heinz, owner of Southeast Ohio Fiber Works and ACEnet client, supplies local and national need for masks. Her masks are come in three different sizes for kids, adults, and giants (like me); you can choose several different patterns, and even […]
The COVID-19 crisis brought a new reality & shifted the way we all live and work. Nonprofits are adjusting quickly to their staff working from home. This new way of working is surfacing a variety of issues and further exacerbating the systemic inequalities that affect historically marginalized folks. Challenges commonly faced by rural communities such […]
Written by: Jacob Hannah, Coalfield Development Corporation TRADITIONALLY, the notion of “sustainability” as we know it today was being humbly pioneered here in Appalachia. We can all recall stories of how the “grandparent generation” canned and dried their excess food, planted their own gardens, made their own tools, repaired them when they broke, and used […]
CLEAN energy development in Appalachia is an important part of the REGION’S transition to a more just, sustainable, and resilient economy. Investment is a major barrier to an otherwise promising solar sector. What can be done? This white paper examines the current barriers to investment and proposes a focus on “catalytic capital” to unlock more solar investment in the region and accelerate the clean energy sector in Appalachia.
This past November, the Central Appalachian Network hosted its 2nd Regional Peer-to-Peer Convening at Tamarack in Beckley, WV. Over 100 economic development practitioners, community change makers, funders, and sector experts gathered at the Convening to connect and build their shared regional analysis for the Central Appalachian region. This year’s Convening offered attendees 4 different session […]
On October 29th CAN hosted its first Equity webinar. It focused on concrete ways to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion practices within the operational aspects of your organization. During the webinar we discussed: Why focusing within your organization is a good place to start incorporating equity into your work. Concrete examples of how to increase […]
Community Farm Alliance Members, Rae Strobel & Adam Barr spoke out earlier this fall against the proposed SNAP rule. This story shares the importance of nutrition incentive programs to farmers.
Last month the Food & Ag System Working Group hosted a learning call to share information on the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The REAP program aids farmers in financing renewable energy sources or making energy efficiency improvements. Colleagues from our Clean Energy Working Group joined the call to share their expertise on the […]
A summary of the first ever “Sassafrass Moon” herbal heritage festival, held in Erwin, Tennessee to celebrate the region’s herbal heritage.
A necessity for every gourmand, and our last entry, is Farm on the Ridge. Another staple at the Athens Farmer’s Market, you may have seen them on Saturday morning where they sell amazing pork products. In their own words, read how they got their start: