Institute examines competing economic visions for East Ky., in first of series on Appalachian economy

Central Appalachia remains one of the nation's poorest regions, and Kentucky has more economically distressed counties than any other state. Some experts in the region say it must seek a future beyond coal, but others say it must continue to rely on mining. (Appalachian Regional Commission map)

These competing visions are exemplified by University of Kentucky historian Ron Eller, author of the recent Appalachian history Uneven Ground, and former Gov. Paul Patton of Pikeville, who is back in the mining business. Their views are the centerpiece of a story published this week by the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues and being reprinted in Appalachian Kentucky newspapers.

"Though they have different visions of Appalachia’s post-coal potential, when asked to identify the biggest impediment to economic development, Eller and Patton both responded with a single word: 'education'," writes John James Snidow, a summer research assistant for the Institute and a recent prize-winning graduate in economics from Harvard College. His story is the first in a series about the Appalachian economy. To read it, click here.