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 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, Va., 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. We hosted community visioning forums and built an online “wiki” site to provide citizens an opportunity to make their voices heard. In 2016, we participated in the University of Virginia College at Wise’s “Economic Forum of 2016,” a first-ever event of its scope, drawing hundreds of citizens, economic development experts and others.
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 are pressing for increased federal funding to help mountain communities diversify their economies by transforming previously mined lands into sites for sensible economic development, and working to bring investments in solar and other renewable energies to the region.
Our Mountain Ascent newsletter celebrates the victories in our efforts to build a new economy in the coalfields.
Latest News
Three Towns in Southwest Virginia Pursue Redevelopment of Blighted Buildings
Brownfields revitalization programs are helping rural Appalachian towns combat blight to rejuvenate their economies.
Community celebrates opening of new recreation area in Dante, Virginia
This new recreation area features approximately 16 miles of new trails that will connect to existing trails around the nearby town of Saint Paul, and the campground features full amenities.
Appalachian Voices awarded EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program Funding
Appalachian Voices partnered with five Southwest Virginia governments and communities, including Clinchco, Dante, Dungannon, Pennington Gap and Pound on a three-year proposal to map, plan, and implement community-driven initiatives to build more resilient communities.
Appalachian Voices Awarded $400,000 Department of Energy Buildings Upgrade Prize
The Department of Energy awarded $400,000 to regional nonprofit organization Appalachian Voices on Wednesday for a project that will help address energy-related challenges at community anchor institutions like schools, health care facilities and businesses in the historic coal region of Southwest Virginia.
Reviving North Tazewell, Va. — A Community’s Vision for East Riverside Drive
We recently co-hosted a gathering with residents of North Tazewell, Virginia, to discuss options for revitalizing a once-thriving center of commerce in their town, the East Riverside Drive area. Residents and local advocates shared illuminating ideas!
Community, culture and creation: Working to bring new investments into the coalfields
Beginning in January 2023, four local environmental and social justice organizations held a series of community listening sessions, one in each coalfield county in Southwest Virginia.
