The nonprofit group Shaping Our Appalachian Region Inc. has received approval for a $200,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The grant money will help pay for the nonprofit organization's startup costs. The group's aim is to improve economic diversity in eastern Kentucky. The money is the first of four installments of an ARC grant announced last year totaling $750,000 to be distributed over four years.
Jared Arnett, executive director of SOAR, says the seed funding will help pay for essential staff and office equipment.
In addition, $137,500 in matching Kentucky coal severance funds are being used to support SOAR operations.
