Oct. 25—LONDON — Sandi Curd, Engagement Director at Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation and a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Building Resilient Economic Coal Communities (BRECC) Commitment Coalition, joined members from six other states for a site visit in West Virginia this month. The group visited sites focused on economic diversification in historic coal communities.

"We are not alone in diversifying our local economies to transition from one dependent on coal production. West Virginia is a prime example of tourism's impact and what we can expect from the Kentucky Wildlands efforts," said Curd.

The BRECC Commitment Coalition comprises 20 competitively selected leaders who, through peer exchanges and virtual convenings, are gaining an increased understanding of economic diversification strategies and discovering new economic development projects and approaches for replication in their home communities.

In this three-day peer exchange, members saw a schoolhouse to housing conversion, the development of an outdoor recreation economy, and a workforce development program for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. These innovative projects and programs showcase the resiliency of coal-impacted communities and provide insight into strategies officials can explore in their own communities.

"There is no reason why the resilient people of East Kentucky cannot make a new economic future that provides multiple career opportunities for our next generation," explained Curd.

NACo's BRECC initiative is supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. For more information about BRECC, visit https://www.naco.org/program/building-resilient-economies-coal-communities.

— Courtesy Sandi Curd