Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program to receive $2 million ARC grant for high school-based program

The Appalachian Regional Commission has announced more than $68 million in grants aimed at revitalizing communities hurt by the decline of the coal industry. Two million will go to the Hazard-based Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program. Communications Director Cris Ritchie said a new effort will benefit about 400 high school students.

“We're going to implement what we're calling the Career Pathfinder Network, which is a pretty new and innovative pilot program that will enhance career development services for high school students who are enrolled in five high schools in Clay, Knox, Owsley and Letcher.”

Ritchie said the program is designed to help students make connections with potential employers and raise the region’s low labor force participation rate. He said they’re hiring now and hope to be in high schools early next year.

“They'll be doing career exploration. They're going to be getting connected with employers in their local communities who provide internships and apprenticeships, and basically just find out what careers are available in their communities and get connected with those.”

Other recipients of the ARC grants include Pikeville University, which will receive $2 million for their new Appalachian Center for Preventive Medicine project.

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