Shaping Our Appalachian Region earns funding award; Governor recommended plan for approval 

FRANKFORT, KY - On August 5, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear celebrated a $40 million award from the Biden-Harris administration to Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) to connect Eastern Kentucky residents to resources and training for good jobs.

The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).

“This investment will ease barriers to employment and support the hardworking people of Eastern Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is a region that deserves our country’s thanks and investment. The people of Eastern Kentucky mined the coal that powered our country through two world wars and helped build the strongest middle class the world has ever seen. We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for prioritizing investment in our region and our people.”

In December 2023, SOAR’s Eastern Kentucky Runway Recompete Plan was named one of 22 finalists as part of Phase 1 of the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program. This program targets areas where prime-age (25-54) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal of closing this gap through flexible, locally driven investments. Gov. Beshear submitted a letter of recommendation on SOAR’s behalf.

As one of six awardees selected for implementation funding, SOAR’s plan will advance local industries, small business support and job placement for people in recovery, former coal workers and others across 12 counties: Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry and Pike. The plan will grow employment in remote jobs and expand pathways into higher-paying careers, especially in the health care, energy and technology sectors.

“The Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda is about ensuring every community in Kentucky and across the country has the resources and support to grow and thrive,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The investments in Kentucky’s Runaway Recompete Plan will create jobs, enhance workforce development efforts in high-growth industries, and grow local small businesses to help revitalize communities across Eastern Kentucky.”

“Through partnership with local communities, the Recompete program will make targeted, community-led investments to reduce unemployment,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The Recompete awardees are bringing together a wide range of partners to develop integrated approaches to support Americans in accessing good jobs.”

This program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda. The statute authorized $1 billion for the program. To date, EDA has been appropriated $200 million for the program.

Learn more about the Recompete Pilot Program at eda.gov/Recompete.?

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration
The mission of EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. 

Supporting Coal Communities
Gov. Beshear has advocated for coal communities throughout his administration. In his first budget proposal, he suggested returning coal severance funds only to coal-producing counties. Coal-producing communities now exclusively benefit from these funds.

Last year, Kentucky’s coal-producing communities received more than $74 million in coal severance tax funds from fiscal year 2023, marking the most money allocated to these communities in 10 years. The money was distributed among 29 coal-producing counties and municipalities, within those counties, to support their economies and communities. 

In 2023, Gov. Beshear served as the states’ co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, which promotes economic growth and innovation throughout Appalachia.