Latest News and Updates on Appalachia

Appalachia’s Changing Landscape: A Mix of Hope and Challenges

Appalachia, the storied region stretching from New York to Mississippi, has always been a blend of resilience and struggle. Over the past year, the area has seen a flurry of developments that reflect its evolving story—from economic shifts and environmental wins to cultural celebrations that keep traditions alive. Whether you’re familiar with the misty blue ridges of the Smokies or tuning in for the first time, here’s what’s shaking up Appalachia in 2023.

Economic Buzz: Renewables, Tourism, and Youth-Led Innovation

Long linked to coal and manufacturing, Appalachia is gradually diversifying its economy. In 2023, states like Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania are leaning into green energy and tourism as key players. Kentucky’s “Shaping Our Appalachian Region” (SOAR) initiative, for instance, has sparked new investments in solar farms and electric vehicle charging stations. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s Mountain Line Transit in Morgantown introduced electric buses, a small but notable step toward sustainable infrastructure.

Tourism is also picking up steam. According to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), visitation to outdoor attractions like the Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is bouncing back after pandemic dips. Local businesses—think craft breweries, outfitters, and Airbnb rentals—are riding this wave. Communities are also promoting “heritage tourism,” inviting travelers to explore coal mining museums, Appalachian arts, and even learn some old-timey fiddle tunes.

• Kentucky’s eastern counties received a $30 million state grant for broadband expansion.
• West Virginia saw a 12% increase in tech job postings compared to 2022.
• Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest is investing $5 million in trail upgrades for hikers and bikers.

Good News: Record Jobs in Outdoor Recreation

The outdoor recreation economy—a mix of hiking, camping, and adventure tourism—is now a $2.9 trillion industry nationwide, and Appalachia is cashing in. The Outdoor Industry Association reported a 9.4% job growth in the region’s outdoor sector focused on gear manufacturing and guided tours. Towns that once relied on single industries are now betting on nature. Take Franklin, North Carolina, which converted an old paper mill into a kayak manufacturing plant, employing 50 locals.

STEM education is also bridging gaps. A partnership between the ARC and local colleges launched ScholarShift, a program connecting Appalachian students with tech and conservation scholarships. So far, 300 young adults are on track to graduate debt-free and join a growing workforce hungry for green jobs.

Environmental Underdog Stories: Reclaiming Land, Preserving Rivers

For decades, Appalachia faced criticism for industrial practices like mountaintop removal coal mining. In 2023, though, the region is fighting back. NGOs and state agencies teamed up to restore over 1,200 acres of mined land in Virginia and West Virginia. These projects don’t just plant trees—they’re creating pollinator habitats, improving water quality in rivers like the Cheat River, and hosting cleanups involving thousands of volunteers.

The Biden administration’s Cancer Royalty Program also scored a win for Appalachian women in April 2023. The initiative funds community gardens in areas with high cancer rates, many linked to poor air and water quality. Pilot gardens in Eastern Kentucky are already supplying fresh produce to schools and clinics.

• ARC’s ReImagine Appalachia plan allocates $15 million toward abandoned mine land cleanup.
• The New River in West Virginia was named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® by American Rivers—boosting advocacy efforts.
• Tennessee’s ECO-Link program trains game wardens and conservationists in rural counties.

Appalachian Culture: Music, Food, and Folk Art Thrive

While the region tackles modern challenges, its soul remains embedded in folk music, storytelling, and traditional crafts. In 2023, the “Rooted in Appalachia” concert series brought bluegrass bands like The Steel Wheels and The Folk Crusaders to towns from Bristol to Birmingham. These events double as fundraisers for local schools and libraries.

Foodways are another hot topic. Appalachia’s heirloom crops—like Appalachia Gold wheat and Ramp House microgreens—are gaining attention. The Sustainable Agribusiness Network (SAN) launched a seed bank in Abingdon, Virginia, to protect genetic diversity and support small farmers. Plus, urbanites craving the “farmhouse vibe” are buying Appalachian-made maple syrup, locustwood furniture, and sourdough starter kits by the crate.

Infrastructure Upgrades: Highways and Healthcare

Decades of underfunded highways and hospitals are getting a refresh. In September 2023, the Federal Highway Administration approved a $75 million project to widen Route 23 in Eastern Ohio, which connects several coal-impacted counties to larger markets. Similarly, North Carolina unveiled a mobile health unit tackling rural opioid addiction, staffed with counselors and equipped with a telemedicine pod.

Broadband expansion is another bright spot. With federal support from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Law, over 3,000 households in rural West Virginia now have high-speed internet for the first time. This helps telecommuters, small business owners, and students close the digital gap.

Environmental Hiccups: Climate Change Threatens Communities

Still, Appalachia’s green initiatives are up against time. Summer storms in July 2023 caused severe flooding in eastern Tennessee’s Elkmont area, displacing dozens and closing sections of the Smoky Mountains for months. Researchers at the University of Tennessee link the surge to warmer temperatures increasing heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, droughts are stressing crops in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, where farmers predict a shorter harvest season.

To help, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched a regional climate task force, offering grants for weather-resistant infrastructure and emergency response training. Still, locals say these funds are a start—not a finish—for a region at the mercy of a warming climate.

Community Corner: Cool Projects You Should Know

Appalachians are famously DIY-spirited, and the last year has been no different:

• “Plant the Seed Fund”: A direct cash program for Appalachian teens launching environmental startups. One winner in Harlan, Kentucky, is repurposing coal ash into eco-friendly concrete.
• Rural Art Bridges: Mural projects in Ohio and Pennsylvania are revitalizing downtowns. The “Holler Heard ‘Round the World” campaign painted 150+ murals in 2023.
• Mambow Water: A water testing initiative using AI tools to detect toxins in piping systems. It’s been adopted in three West Virginia counties since March.

These grassroots efforts show how local action can ripple outward—a trend worth watching as the region leans into 2024.

Policy Watch: What’s in the Works

While Congress remains gridlocked, state-led policies are chugging ahead. At the first-ever Appalachian Resilience Summit in April 2023, leaders from 13 states pledged to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2030. Another proposal moving through the West Virginia legislature would tax short-term fossil fuel profits to fund retraining programs for displaced workers.

On the federal side, the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool flagged 17 Appalachian counties as “disadvantaged communities,” unlocking access to cleaner infrastructure grants. It’s a win, but activists stress implementation remains slower than small towns can afford.

Hitchcock Hills: A New Outdoor Hotspot Sparks Controversy

When Redsider Outdoor, a New York company, announced plans to develop the Hitchcock Hills Nature Preserve in West Virginia this February, residents were split. Supporters call it a jobs boon, while critics worry about erosion and disrupted wildlife. After months of testimony, the plan was delayed in August to address local concerns. Still, environmental groups like Coal River Outdoors are working with Redsider to keep hiking trails accessible to locals (and maybe even add some climbing towers).

Future Forward: What’s Next for Appalachia?

2023 set Appalachia up for a pivotal 2024. The region’s better connectivity and growing focus on sustainability could redefine how we see rural America. But hurdles remain—opioid rates, ongoing climate threats, and questions about whether tech investments will stick or fade after headlines do. The key takeaway? Appalachia’s story isn’t “regions left behind” versus “big-city progress.” It’s about balance: honoring coal country pride while embracing wind turbines and web coding bootcamps.

If you’re on a sloshy mountain road in 2024, admire the solar farms dotting old mine land and check out the pop-up farmstands selling pawpaw jam. And remember, this isn’t the same Appalachia you read about decades ago. It’s smarter, spunkier, and stubbornly hopeful.

Quick Hits: News You May Have Missed

• Pennsylvania added 80 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage in 2023.
• A first-of-its-kind Cider Route now connects orchards in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region.
• The Appalachian Arts Guild launched in Knoxville, showcasing work in gourd carving and ballad history.
• Opioid treatment centers in Tennessee expanded Medicaid acceptance by 35% this summer.

Appalachia’s layers run deep—like its soil, its relationships, and the cliffs carved by generations of pickaxes. As the world changes, it’s clear this region won’t be boxed into outdated stereotypes. Stay tuned for more underdog stories, muddy hiking boots, and innovation that smells vaguely like ramps and pine sap.