Making Connections

Series produced by WMMT

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Making Connections is a project for sharing news, stories, and information highlighting opportunities and challenges for building a healthy future for Appalachia's land and people. http://www.makingconnectionsnews.org/

'Making Connections: Diversifying Our Future' is a multi-media platform for sharing news, stories, and information highlighting opportunities and challenges for building a healthy future for Appalachia's people and land.

While coal mining will play a role in the central Appalachian economy for many years to come, the industry continues to mechanize creating a dramatic drop in jobs -– it currently represents less than 2% of employment. Analysts also project that recoverable coal reserves in the region could run out in 20 years.

Now is the time to develop a more diversified and sustainable regional economy that supports the current generation of coal miners while creating new jobs in new fields. We have no shortage of strengths to build upon, including our rich cultural traditions, unparalleled natural landscape and strong sense of family and community. To move forward we must honor our past while focusing on a future that provides healthy and productive lives for our children and grandchildren.

Making Connections features people, organizations and businesses that are leading the way and providing examples of new economic opportunities. The stories, information, ideas, and opinions presented are intended to foster further conversations and spur action on these important issues.

http://www.makingconnectionsnews.org/ Hide full description

'Making Connections: Diversifying Our Future' is a multi-media platform for sharing news, stories, and information highlighting opportunities and challenges for building a healthy future for Appalachia's people and land.While coal mining will play a role in the central Appalachian economy for many years to come, the industry continues to mechanize creating a dramatic drop in jobs -– it currently represents less than 2% of employment. Analysts also project that recoverable coal reserves in the region could run out in 20 years.Now is the time to develop a more diversified and sustainable regional economy that supports the current generation of coal miners while creating new jobs in new fields. We have no shortage of strengths to build upon, including our rich cultural traditions,... Show full description


9 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Hywell Francis
Scholars, community organizers, activists and students gathered at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., October 14-16 for “Appalachia and W...

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 13:27
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Because of historically cheap energy rates and lots of poorly insulated housing, Kentuckians’ average home electricity use is one of the highest in...

  • Added: Jul 18, 2012
  • Length: 12:49
Caption: Gary Bentley with his daughter Lily
Since January, thousands of coal miners have been laid off in Central Appalachia. We’ve heard a lot of opinions about the causes of this decline a...

Bought by WRNC-LP


  • Added: Oct 18, 2012
  • Length: 11:31
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Downtown Vicco, KY
Vicco, Kentucky, a town of 334 tucked deep into the heart of the central Appalachian coalfields and known locally as "The Town Too Tough to Die," m...

Bought by West Virginia Public Broadcasting


  • Added: Feb 04, 2013
  • Length: 04:22
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Downtown Vicco, KY
Vicco, Kentucky, a town of 334 tucked deep into the heart of the central Appalachian coalfields and known locally as "The Town Too Tough to Die," m...

  • Added: Feb 04, 2013
  • Length: 09:12
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By Rich Kirby -- A portrait of Mark Hamilton and Anna Hess, farmers in Scott County, Virginia, who have used the internet to create a thriving mark...

  • Added: Feb 08, 2016
  • Length: 05:32
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Williamson, West Virginia proudly bills itself as “the heart of the billion-dollar coalfield,” so it’s perhaps an unusual place to find an alternat...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Feb 09, 2016
  • Length: 07:14
  • Purchases: 1
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Across the country, rural areas are either enjoying broadband internet access or trying hard to get it. Often that involves waiting for one of the ...

  • Added: Feb 09, 2016
  • Length: 11:32
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Most folks agree that rural Appalachia needs high speed, broadband internet to create a new economy in the region. But if such a network is built, ...

  • Added: Feb 10, 2016
  • Length: 04:27