Virginia farmers will soon be able to grow hemp for industrial purposes — albeit with restrictions. Industrial hemp farming is also being explored to varying degrees in Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Blog Archives
“Social Enterprise” Expanding in Appalachia
Social enterprises — businesses that aim to improve social problems — are increasing in Appalachia.
Bill Aims to Boost Local Appalachian Economies
The RECLAIM Act, introduced in early February by Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), would accelerate the release of $1 billion from the Abandoned Mine Lands Fund over the next five years and could help revitalize the economics in many areas impacted by coal’s decline.
TAGS: abandoned mine lands appalachia Appalachian economy Economic diversification mountaintop removal coal mining RECLAIM Act
Powering Up: Diversifying central Appalachia’s economy
From The Appalachian Voice: As coal production continues to decline, many citizens and groups in central Appalachia are working hard to find new avenues for economic diversification.
TAGS: Central Appalachia Economic diversification Kentuckians for the Commonwealth POWER+ Plan southwest virginia
Powering Up: Diversifying central Appalachia’s economy
As coal production continues to decline, many citizens and groups in Central Appalachia are working hard to find new avenues for economic diversification.
TAGS: Central Appalachia coal communities economic development Economic diversification Economy POWER+ Plan
Southwest Virginia’s New Economy Forums
In October, Appalachian Voices partnered with Virginia Organizing to host eight community forums in the coalfield counties of southwest Virginia. More than 130 residents participated in the forums, sharing their ideas about how to move the economy of their communities…
Takin’ 5 with Tony Flaccavento
Tony Flaccavento has been a leading voice for sustainable economic development in southwest Virginia for more than two decades. An organic farmer, small businessman and author, Tony has been making a series of short videos exploring the positive forces of localized, sustainable economies.
TAGS: Appalachian economy economic development Economic diversification Economy southwest virginia sustainable agriculture Virginia
Crowdsourcing Southwest Virginia’s New Economy
Appalachian Voices is on the ground in southwest Virginia, holding community forums and engaging with citizens from all walks of life to gather their hopes and visions for creating a new economy in the region. You might think of it as old-fashioned crowdsourcing. Soon, we’ll have an online, modern-day crowdsourcing platform to gather more ideas and details to help make these visions become reality.
TAGS: economic development Economic diversification Economy Power southwest virginia transition Wise County
Appalachians Look to Branch Out from Coal-Based Economy
Contact: Adam Wells, Appalachian Voices, (276) 679-1691, adam@appvoices.org Gabby Gillespie, The Alliance for Appalachia, (276) 220-5048, gabby.gillespie@sierraclub.org Eric Dixon, Appalachian Citizens Law Center, (865) 202-8688, eric@appalachianlawcenter.org Two dozen local government entities in the heart of Central Appalachia’s coalfields have passed…
TAGS: abandoned mine lands aml economic development Economic diversification jobs just transition Power Power-Plus transition
Report Analyzes Economic Impact of Abandoned Mine Lands Program
A new report examines how federal funding to remediate abandoned mine lands could be implemented in a way that helps Appalachian communities struggling with coal’s decline.
