Eastern Kentucky non-profit SOAR, which stands for Shaping Our Appalachian Region, has been selected as one of just six organizations from across the county to share in $184 million in grants through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program.
SOAR’s plan aims to reduce barriers to employment like transportation, childcare, and skills gaps by establishing a small business accelerator focused specifically on reducing those barriers.
SOAR now has to finalize the plan to apply for the final grant which will be between $20 million and $50 million.