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SOAR Innovation POWER team ignites entrepreneurial ecosystems in eastern Kentucky
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — In a significant development for the region, Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) unveiled its Innovation POWER team, poised to transform eastern Kentucky’s economy. Bolstered by a nearly $1.5 million Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant awarded in October 2023, the team will develop a technology-focused entrepreneurial ecosystem across the
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Economic Development Authority announces property acquisitions
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — In a move to revitalize the downtown area of Inez, the Martin County Economic Development Authority has announced plans to acquire two notable properties. In a Jan. 10 EDA meeting, chairman James Ayers revealed the pending acquisition of the historic Inez Deposit Bank building and the Rockcastle United Baptist
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New amphitheater coming to Inez
EDA announces green initiatives, historic bank building donation, Boxvana bankruptcy settlement BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County can look forward to a new outdoor amphitheater in the courthouse square in Inez. Economic Development Director and Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills announced in an EDA meeting Oct. 18 that Martin County Solar Project developers
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Martin County EDA discusses economic revival
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority discussed potential economic revival, financial opportunities and other topics in a meeting Aug. 9. EDA Director Carolea Mills updated board members on the cleanup progress in a meeting Aug. 9. “We had some county employees and jail workers helping us,” Mills said.
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One East Kentucky CEO discusses job growth, investment in Eastern Kentucky
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Colby Kirk, president and CEO at One East Kentucky (OEK), addressed Martin County Kiwanis Club members at their Thursday luncheon at Shufflin’ Café. The discussion focused on OEK’s role in stimulating economic development in the region and its strategies for future growth. OEK, a privately funded, nonprofit economic
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EDA negotiating property swap with school board
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority is negotiating with the county school board to exchange properties. The EDA discussed the matter and other business in a meeting June 14. The specifics of the property swap, involving a parcel adjacent to Martin County High School, remain confidential as the
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Boxvana ‘saga’ concludes
TEK Center ribbon cutting June 2 BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority met for their regular monthly meeting May 10 to discuss Boxvana leaving the Honey Branch Industrial Park. The board approved financials and housekeeping for the May meeting without much discussion and moved on to the main
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Kermit wants to connect to Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Town has until November to submit plan and map BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — The Hatfield-McCoy Trails system is mapped to bypass Kermit, but the Kermit EDA coordinator Gary Hensley is taking steps to change that. Hensley told Kermit Council members in a meeting Feb. 20 that he and Charlie Horn recently
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Martin County EDA gets up to speed
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority met for a regular session Feb. 15. EDA director Carolea Mills led a large portion of the meeting, bringing the new board up to speed on the EDA’s finances. The EDA previously approved a two-year lease for the newly opened TEK Center
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Kermit gets economic development director
Retired aerospace company founder and president will work for free BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT — The Town of Kermit has appointed an “unofficial” economic development director. Retired founder and president of the highly successful Veracity Technology Solutions in Broken Arrow, Okla., Gary Hensley is living on Middle Burning Creek and wants to put
