Appalachia Funders Network (AFN) shared the results from a recently completed asset scan of the six-state, 257-county region designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as Central Appalachia, noting opportunities for philanthropic investment. The goal of the asset scan, conducted by Reinvestment Fund and the University of Kentucky’s Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky was to create a data-informed framework for funders that would guide targeted investments resulting in enhanced quality of life in Central Appalachian communities.
The research team examined indicators representing the economic well-being and population health of residents throughout the region. Indicators of key community assets, including economic infrastructure, health facilities, public investment, housing burden, nonprofit organizations, and civic engagement were examined as well. The report reveals elevated levels of civic engagement—promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes—were most strongly associated with higher levels of economic well-being and population health. Across all 257 Central Appalachian counties only a single county proved the exception to this rule where low levels of civic engagement could co-exist with elevated levels of economic well-being.
The researchers note that the findings from the report provide a nuanced framework for thinking about potential approaches to enhance the quality of life in Central Appalachian communities. AFN hopes that the findings can point to new funding strategies to enhance the quality of life throughout the region.
Contact: Erica Allison at 828.358.4867 or media@formationpr.com.