WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Somerset, recently praised Eastern Kentucky PRIDE for earning a $250,000 competitive grant from the state Economic Development Administration for the new Kentucky Wildlands initiative to promote tourism in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

What You Need To Know

  • Eastern Kentucky PRIDE serves 41 counties

  • Kentucky Wildlands initiative aims to promote tourism

  • Grant of $250,000 will be spent on marketing

  • The Kentucky Wildlands is projected to have a positive economic effect on 54 ARC-designated "opportunity zones"

 

“For years, PRIDE volunteers have cleaned up our hillsides, lakes and streams to preserve the beauty of our Appalachian region,” Rogers said. “The Kentucky Wildlands initiative is the next natural step to let the world know that we are working hard to make this a destination hotspot for outdoor adventure and wildlife enthusiasts. I’m incredibly proud of our leaders at PRIDE for dreaming big and creating partnerships to make our region an exciting and beautiful place to live.”

The Eastern Kentucky PRIDE Foundation serves 41 counties in Kentucky. This project implements a marketing initiative with the tagline, “The Kentucky Wildlands, Elevate Your Play.” The branding aims to leverage the region’s natural assets and cultural heritage to promote new or enhanced traveler experiences that increase tourism spending and strengthen tourism as an economic driver.

“We are so grateful for EDA's support of this initiative,” said Tammie Nazario, president and CEO of PRIDE. “Our tourism industry has been among the hardest hit during this pandemic. Our region is poised to be the place to visit, especially for social distancing. With our vast landscape, hundreds of waterfalls, miles upon miles of hiking trails. The Kentucky Wildlands has it all. This grant will allow us to extend our media marketing efforts beyond that provided by the current ARC POWER grant of $1.15 million, providing the help our small communities need as we work to recover from the current events.”

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell said the grant funding would “continue tapping into the heritage and potential of Eastern and Southern Kentucky,” and he is proud to work with Rogers to secure the funding.

“The Kentucky Wildlands Initiative will continue encouraging growth across the Appalachian region, helping families and communities prosper,” McConnell said. “I’m delighted to support Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, and I look forward to the future exploration of this wonderful area.”

The Kentucky Wildlands is projected to have a positive economic effect on 54 ARC-designated Opportunity Zones in the service area to create jobs and spur economic development in a region hit hardest by the downturn of the coal industry. Rogers and McConnell in 2019 championed legislation that directs the National Park Service to complete a study to determine whether Kentucky's Appalachian region meets the requirements to become the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area, which would be Kentucky’s first such designation. The legislation would allow Southern and Eastern Kentucky counties to receive technical assistance and federal funding through a partnership with the National Park Service.

EDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application’s merit, the applicant’s eligibility, and the availability of funds. 

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