Saving Eastern Kentucky......Part 2

If you read part 1 of my plan, you know I think Eastern Kentucky has a chance to successfully reboot using authentic Appalachian culture to develop a tasteful food/drink/nature based tourism destination. Part 1 was basically a big picture outline. Part 2 starts down the yellow brick road discussing the finer details and steps necessary to reach the end game.

The problem that needs immediate attention is infrastructure.

The road to revitalizing Eastern Kentucky begins with - roads. The roads aren't awful. This is probably to ease access to Lexington so Appalachians can spend hard earned money away from home. The need for the "buy local" concept is another issue Ill be addressing later.

Visitors/tourists MUST be able to easily access the area; especially from I64. To do this, roads need 4 lanes the entire way from Lexington to Eastern Kentucky. They're almost there now. Just not quite.

Secondly, cell/data service must improve. Cell service (which I also mean to include data service) in Eastern Kentucky is absolutely abysmal. I would call it garbage; but that would be offensive to garbage everywhere.

Its a struggle to consistently make calls, texts, or get data connection. This is true for either of the cell providers in the area. Even worse, cell service is most scarce along the Mountain Parkway. 

This is crucial, because its the route most tourists would use to access Eastern Kentucky. If there are federal subsidies, it certainly needs to be to improve cell service rather than to provide high(er) speed internet (a SOAR recommendation. As if internet doesn't exist in the area).

Next is the power/electricity reliability. Anyone who's ever lived in Eastern Kentucky knows the power goes out anytime there's even the slightest inclement weather. This is easily solved by burying the power lines. Burying the lines would ensure dependable service and reduce costs of paying linemen overtime to constantly make repairs.

The final point on infrastructure that needs attention is public sewer/water. This is an essential governmental service that must be in place in order to allow the smooth operation of restaurants and other tourism focused businesses. Thankfully this only needs intermediate attention because some cities do a good job. Even the cities that don't do a good job with water/sewer are getting better. One things certain: Eastern Kentucky has several lakes upon which to use as a water source. So this really shouldn't be an issue.

Next up.....legislative framework...

Saving Eastern Kentucky.....Part 1

There was quite a response to the recent New York Times article "What's the Matter With Eastern Kentucky". http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/magazine/whats-the-matter-with-eastern-kentucky.html?_r=0


The article focuses on many problems with Eastern Kentucky and why industrialization wont work. Its all pretty much true. But as the great John Wooden said, "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do". We know what wont work. Lets focus on what will.
When examining Eastern Kentucky the most important questions are: what does the region have? And what can it do?


First, what does Eastern Kentucky have? Eastern Kentucky has difficult, mountainous terrain. There isn't enough flat land available for industrialization or modernization, as noted by the New York Times. However the Times sees only half the picture.

Difficult, mountainous terrain makes Eastern Kentucky impossible to industrialize/modernize. Yet the same is also the region's greatest assets: incredible environmental scenery and wildlife. At every turn there are scenic mountains, lakes, trails and streams. Incredible hunting/wildlife consisting of elk, deer, turkey, etc. Terrific climate for certain kinds of agriculture that could provide small scale/locally sourced vegetables for local/regional restaurants. A perfect climate for growing industrial hemp.


Second, what can Eastern Kentuckians do? Sadly the days of backbreaking, yet well paying, labor in the coal mines are gone; likely never to return. Trust me, it hurts to say. As an attorney coal put a lot of money in my clients pockets; allowing them to pay my fees. Its loss financially hurts me as much as anyone. But we, as a region, need to plan as if coal is finished. Then if coal returns - it will be a HUGE bonus; not a life source the region NEEDS just to survive. Therefore "tunnel vision for coal" MUST stop if the area is to survive.


What are Appalachian people good at? Most people fail to realize Eastern Kentuckians possess several artisanal skills that currently in incredibly high demand both regionally, nationally, and globally. In fact, many of the artisans themselves are yet to realize their skills are in high demand. Also many in the region are exceptional artists and/or musicians.


There's small scale/locally sourced farming. Right now, the fastest growing movement in the restaurant industry is the "farm to table" concept. Eastern Kentuckians have been eating from farm to table for DECADES! Raising gardens and small/medium livestock are skills basically woven into the DNA of many Appalachian people.


Lets not forget moonshine/corn whiskey distillers, which is on the verge of experiencing the type of explosion enjoyed by Bourbon the last few years.

Eastern Kentucky is doomed in terms of industrialization? So what? The region is ripe for sustained, continual success in tourism and cultural export. Not the goofy go-cart, airbrush T-shirt driven tourism of Pigeon Forge (which admittedly, I love too). Instead upscale, rustic, nature driving tourism could quickly and easily begin to bring tourists into the area to spend their money with local merchants/artisans. What's more, the same merchants/artisans could easily export the "Appalachian culture" regionally, nationally, and globally.


In the coming weeks, I'll be writing in more specifics exactly how the region can create a sustainable economy based on tourism and culture. I invite you to follow my posts, and lets all try to reboot Eastern Kentucky together.