Communities Thrive Challenge and Upworthy host live #UpChat on Twitter.
On October 11, 2018, the Communities Thrive Challenge and Upworthy, a media platform, partnered to host a live #UpChat on Twitter with the 20 Communities Thrive Challenge finalists. During the event, participating finalists answered a series of questions from UpWorthy about community, creating positive change and more.
Join us as we take a look back at how Coalfield Development responded to those questions!
Shorter Version: We love the grit & gumption people in our coalfield communities show each day as they work hard and innovate to rebuild our economy. We love how generous our people are with time and resources even as they face hardship themselves.
Moving forward from a coal-based mono economy, we must simultaneously build a strong, skilled workforce and brand new, diversified markets. Our greatest challenge is connecting these emerging systems with the broader regional markets and the flow of commerce, but we will overcome this challenge using technology, creativity, and strategic collaborations.
The social fabric of coal-impacted communities is frayed due to poverty, out-migration and addiction. We’re reconnecting individuals to build hope and opportunities while honoring commitments. This approach will heal our communities.
@McDowellCountyStudentPack @SolarHoller @WVHub Central Appalachian Network; Healthy Kids and Families Coalition; Good News Mountaineer Garage; Williamson Health and Wellness Center; Step by Step; @HeritageFarmWV; Warrior Creek Development; Coal Heritage Highway Authority; Stepping Stones; Recovery Point; Mountwest and Southern CTCs; employers such as Service Pump & Supply; the Wild Ramp; MacKenzie-Dow; EA Woodworks;
Not yet thriving, but not just surviving–we’re evolving! Realigning skills, reevaluating our approach to education, rebuilding our economy, engaging people, and relying on our native wit to fuel a just economic transition. #UpChat #UpworthyxCTC @RockefellerFdnnomic transition. #UpChat #UpworthyxCTC @Upworthy @RockefellerFdn
6) There are so many aspects that make up a job—pay, benefits, the tasks you do every day. What makes a job “good” to you?
Good jobs let us move from financial vulnerability to self-reliance, performing work that enriches our community w/out degrading our environment. They build multiple forms of wealth: financial, social, intellectual etc. #UpChat #UpworthyxCTC @RockefellerFdn
Our communities’ labor participation rate is <46%. It’s tough to find good jobs here during the economic transition, so we’ve stepped in as a direct employer & are working with @UFI_inc & others to connect entrepreneurs w/resources.
WV’s economic history is one of ownership & control by outside interests & is focused on extraction. Developing local businesses is now central to our strategy to diversify & rebuild the Appalachian economy from the ground up.
We will retrain our talented young people, & those who left will come home to take advantage of entrepreneurial ecosystem supports & vibrant communities built around our unique culture and close relationship to the land & nature.
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Rebuilding the Appalachian economy from the ground up. We believe in developing the potential of Appalachia through the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.
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