ASHLAND, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced over $1.5 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission to support recovery programs and boost workforce development in eastern Kentucky.

What You Need To Know

  • During the annual meeting of the Appalachian Regional Commission, Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced over $1.5 million in grant money to support recovery programs and workforce training in eastern Kentucky

  • The awards include grants given to Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Morehead State University, Volunteers of America and a number of other groups working to promote recovery and job training in distressed areas of the state

  • Funding was announced during the ARC annual meeting held in Ashland, Kentucky 

  • In January, Beshear was selected as the ARC's states' co-chair by other Appalachian governors

The governor made the announcement in his role as states’ co-chair for ARC, alongside federal co-chair Gayle Manchin.

The awards are from the ARC’s Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems initiative.

“Last year, Kentucky was one of only eight states to see a decrease in drug overdose deaths, and we’ve increased treatment beds by 50% and have the lowest recidivism rate in our history,” Beshear said. “With more than $1.5 million in ARC grants, today we are taking another step forward on our mission to support those in recovery and boost our workforce.”

The awards include:

  • A nearly $500,000 grant to Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College for the creation of the Essential Skill HUB project. The HUB will offer training to youth ages 15 to 24, as well as support for adults, post-recovery participants and grandparents serving as primary caregivers.
  • A grant of over $465,000 for the Volunteers of America Mid-States for a recovery reintegration program that will help with job training and job placement with recovery-friendly employers.
  • A grant of $50,000 to Love Must Win for the Elemental Recovery Program project to help conduct a community assessment to support further recovery efforts.
  • A grant of $50,000 awarded to Morehead State University to support a research study and assessment of training, employment support and hiring needs of businesses in five counties.
  • A $500,000 grant to the Thrive Community Coalition in Inez to help those nearing the end of their recovery programs with peer mentoring and job training.

The awards were announced during the annual ARC conference held in Ashland, Kentucky, which brought together officials from ARC’s 13 states as well as hundreds of partners and economic development experts.

In January, Beshear was chosen by other Appalachian governors to co-chair the ARC this year. 

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