Организация SOAR получила грант в 40 млн долларов для развития предпринимательства и создания рабочих мест в Восточном Кентукки

SOAR’s (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) business promotions manager spoke to the Pikeville Rotary Club on Aug. 12 about the organization’s efforts to foster entrepreneurship in Eastern Kentucky. Sarah Fugate told the group that SOAR supports businesses in every stage of their development, from start to growth to hopefully the scaling phase, through idea workshops, startup sprints, mentorships and networking. According to Fugate, SOAR covers a 29-county region and serves as one of Kentucky’s six innovation hubs. “We are looking to nurture and grow entrepreneurship in Eastern Kentucky,” she said. “This is a way that we can help create jobs in Eastern Kentucky and keep people in the region. We are trying to change the narrative and help people understand that they do have business skills and can succeed. “We are trying to get in there, meet people who have drive and want to start a business,” Fugate continued. “We serve 12 counties, including Pike, with a program called Social Enterprise Accelerator. We are looking for people who live and work in Pike County and the 11 other counties wanting to start or grow businesses that work in areas that address the biggest barriers to getting people back to work in Eastern Kentucky.” She said those barriers are child care, housing and transportation. Fugate also talked about SOAR’s Eastern Kentucky Runway program. “This is an initiative that we have for the next few years,” Fugate explained. “SOAR actually received the largest grant ever given by the EDA for $40 million. The goal is to get people jobs and better, higher-paying jobs for people who already have one in careers they are proud of and are meaningful to them. “Again, this serves 12 counties in Kentucky and we are targeting the most eastern counties in the state,” she continued. “These are counties that need a hand up, not a handout. We are not on the same playing field as other parts of Kentucky. Our goal is to help create jobs and to get people employed.” Fugate also talked about programs and partnerships SOAR has with the University of Pikeville, the Kentucky Community and Technical College system, Morehead State University, local governments, private businesses and resource providers. To learn more about SOAR and the services it offers, visit the organization’s website at, soar-ky.org, or call, (606) 766-1160.