“We must believe in our community and in our youth and create opportunities for our youth to remain in our communities and become leaders,” Jackson County Judge-Executive Shane Gabbard said, reflecting the spirit of the conversation at the gathering of Eastern Kentuckians this week.
“We must blur the county boundaries and develop partnerships with vision utilizing our positives rather than allowing the outside world to determine our identity,” Dr. Michael Melton, a teacher in the Letcher County School District said echoing the group consensus. “I believe if we can start thinking as a region, that we have power. We have to develop our ‘brand’ and everybody involved promote that brand.”
Over 125 citizens developed strategies to change the demographic trajectory of the region and enhance community and economic development during a March 27 summit in Hazard sponsored by the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC).
Using the KVEC report, “A Way Forward,” which included research and considerations for discussion on economic revitalization, the group explored the “Four Legs of Economic Development” model and concluded K-12 schools can be a greater catalyst for economic growth in various areas. The group determined that grassroots, inclusive planning was essential in each county which should then be coordinated with other counties in regional approaches. Greater collaboration by institutions and organizations serving the region is necessary, participants stated.
Hazard Independent High School students provide a cup of brew from their “606 Coffee Shop” to Paul Dole of Knox County. (Photo provided)
Participants embraced the “A Way Forward” call to establish the first “Rural Edu-conomy Zone” in the nation, where school districts and community partners (public and private) work together to establish a vision for the future and strategic plan focused on increasing economic and community vitality. “We have a fierce belief in our schools and people and what we can do together to improve the quality of life for our region,” said Dr. Jeff Hawkins, the executive director of KVEC. “Our schools and communities are inextricably intertwined creating a synergy for positive advancement for our citizens”
The group briefly explored the challenging demographics before focusing on solutions to improve community vitality and economic growth. Primary data points cited were: the 11.4% population decline since 2000 while the state population grew 10.2%; the region’s unemployment rate is double the national average; the disability rate is more than double the state average; three out of 10 residents at below the poverty threshold; poverty rate for youth under age 18 (49.4 % in 2017, an increase of 25.9% since 2000 while the national average has dropped); the health statistics making the region the most unhealthy in the state and one of the worst in the nation.
The citizens acknowledged the need to understand the data, be realistic about what is happening in the region, and move forward with a positive, hopeful attitude.
“After looking at the data in 2013 to the present, the needle has not moved…we are in the same place and we must do something” explained Jason Belcher of Paintsville. “We cannot and must not keep doing things the way we have in the past…it’s not working…we must be more innovative and creative,” a participant followed saying.
Much of the discussion on economic development and focused on the importance of entrepreneurism.
Citing the need to ensure the mountains had an available skilled workforce to attract good paying job operations, the gathering said a vibrant KY Work Ready Program at the local level would accomplish this goal. They recommended the alignment of K-12, Post-secondary and Workforce be examined to determine if there is a need to consider adjustments to structure and protocols that might provide more effective interoperability and collaboration to address emerging need for community development.
Retaining existing business and helping those businesses “reinvent and expand their services and products” are two important legs of economic development which communities need to focus. An example given was the work of a Harlan County teacher who trained his students to develop over 300 web pages for businesses across the nation. This assistance has helped the operations be more successful and expand. The group praised this K-12 initiative and others discussed which demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit of the new generation of students in eastern Kentucky classrooms.
Several other examples of youth-led entrepreneurial projects were cited as hopeful signs for the future. Hazard Interdependent School District students provided coffee at the gather from their “606 Coffee Shop.” The students began the project through a KVEC community challenge grant, technical assistance from the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED), other partners including a local business.
In Clay County the downtown revitalization of Manchester was described as “youth led and elder directed.” Jackson County K-12 students built two mobile heated homeless shelters on their own initiative.
WYMT-TV news anchor Steve Hensley said after listening to bright students who stated they did not know if they had a future in the region because of the lack of economic opportunities, “we must ensure they have a reason to stay if they desire.”
Magoffin County high school senior Kennon Conley said he is hopeful for the future of the region and wishes to remain. “We need to figure how my age group can be part of the discussions with the older leaders in our communities and work together. My fellow students have many great ideas and are willing to work to improve their communities.”
Noting the entrepreneurial spirit of the youth, Betsey Whaley of MACED stated, “We need well equipped entrepreneurs who we support…develop our own economic ecosystem and not rely on the outside.”
As a part of the discussion on the need and value of broadband, Associate Commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Education David Couch said many people do not realize that Eastern Kentucky has been a leader in technology and the students are doing amazing things. Kentucky was the first state in the nation to have fiber to all its school districts and eastern Kentucky was the first to have it implemented. Over 50,000 Kentucky students are engaged in the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) and there are more state champions from eastern Kentucky than elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
The gathering praised the work of local teachers noting the students in the 22 school districts served by KVEC collectively have a higher rate of achievement in college and career readiness and in high school graduation rates.
Several ideas for economic and community growth were shared out after breakout sessions where the citizens worked together. Jennifer Carroll of Wolfe County offered that many unused rail tracks in the region could be used for tourism and transportation potential. Doug Fraley of Breathitt County said his group stated that a “Leadership Academy” housing students from the region and outside should be located in the mountains as well as a “governor’s school” in some discipline.
The importance of working together was a major theme of the day which was built as a “do-tank,” so talking would turn to actionable outcomes. Magoffin County Judge-Executive Mark Wireman stated, “I am here today with our school superintendent, mayor and state representative. We are working together and are excited about how we can pull our county together to accomplish great things and work with other counties.”
Planning is continuing for next steps to move the conversation forward and to action.
The Way Forward report is available online and offers a regional perspective based upon the belief that every community possesses unique assets, and strong alignment and collaboration across all boundaries (geographic, education, agency, government, civic and workforce) is necessary to make the region stronger.
Ron Daley is the strategic partner lead for the KVEC and lives in Hazard.
