Central Appalachia is a place of great contradictions.

The beauty of the oldest mountain range in

North America with lush mountains, old growth forests, small towns and isolated mountain
communities is juxtaposed with long-term poverty, out-migration, lack of health care, inadequate
educational systems, and political corruption.

The coal, timber, oil, gas, and water contained within the Appalachian mountains are resources
that have historically influenced the social economic and political characteristics of the region.
Companies have profited greatly from the natural resources at the expense of exploiting our
people and destroying the environment leaving generations in decades-long, structural poverty. It
is a cruel irony that a region so rich in natural resources is home to many of the poorest people in
the United States.

In spite of these burdens, Appalachians have a diverse culture and rich traditions of resiliency
and community along with a strong sense of place that have helped them persevere through
exceedingly difficult times. Although many are touched by deep poverty and tragedy,
Appalachia and its people have a generous spirit, strong determination, and great love for and
pride in the unparalleled natural beauty of this region.

Originally home to indigenous peoples such as the Cherokee and Creek Nations, the rich
coalfields of Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia are now
home to 6 million people, over half of whom live in rural areas, with some counties having less
than 25,000 residents.
The coal and other resources generate revenues into the billions of dollars, but these huge profits
go to companies in other states and counties not in Central Appalachian. Appalachian counties
are left with little or no tax base to help fund schools, health care, or job creation.

Entrenched, corrupt local governments and lagging public policy have not generated sustainable
economic alternatives in our region. Low-wealth individuals, women and people of color are
often discouraged or excluded from civic activism. New job creation tends to be in the form of
low-wage jobs, and at the same time, globalization has moved thousands of jobs from the region.
Low-income communities have difficulty attracting new business. Geographic isolation and the
lack of role models, entrepreneurial skills and access to start-up funds often frustrate individuals,
communities and grass-roots groups poised to work to make significant positive change.

Many people growing up in West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, East Tennessee or Southwest
Virginia, grow up knowing we may have to leave in order to realize our dreams, but because of
our strong roots to the place we call home we remain. In spite of the lack of opportunities and
economic growth, many people choose to stay because it is home, because we're rooted, because
of family, or because our education and training haven't equipped us with the skills or the hope
of a better future if we relocate. Even though there may not be any jobs in our community, even
though our mountains are being blown away for coal and dug away for vacation condos, even
though our water is polluted with acid run-off, and even though poverty levels in some areas are
over 20% and unemployment at 45% and even though services and financial resources which are
inadequate continue to dwindle and disappear, we still find strength in the beauty and embrace of
the mountains, in the joy of the music and stories. We have pride in the people who settled this
land including that the Underground Railroad made stops throughout the mountains leaving
historically strong African-Americans communities; the Italians and Hungarians who came to
work in the coal mines; the Scotch, Irish, and Eastern European farmers and workers; and our
newest residents from other counties including Spanish-speaking residents.

We hope you will join us in celebrating the beauty and rich social fabric of Central Appalachia,
and actively support Central Appalachian organizations working to address systemic problems of
poverty, racism, and social inequity in their own communities and neighborhoods. Please
consider making a gift to ACF today.