Power Grant Summary

Project Summary:

The POWER project aims to address the urgent need for landscape-scale restoration skills in Central Appalachia by establishing an in-field training center and implementing comprehensive restoration initiatives. This collaborative effort, led by Kentucky State University (KSU) and three partner land-grant universities, seeks to prepare a skilled workforce for high-quality, well-paying jobs in both emerging and existing industries across Eastern Kentucky and the broader Appalachian region. The project responds to evolving market demands and technological advancements by offering research-based training in workforce development and land management. Central to the initiative is the creation of a Center of Excellence, which will serve as a learning academy aligned with industry standards and credentialing requirements. KSU's decade-long research and direct feedback from coal-mining-impacted communities in Martin and Pike counties inform the design of thirteen training programs in total. These programs are strategically aligned with state, regional, and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) economic development plans to promote sustainable job creation and local economic revitalization. Training will be delivered through both virtual and hands-on formats, equipping practitioners, stakeholders, and landowners to lead large-scale ecological restoration efforts. Expected outcomes include training approximately 1,000 local stakeholders, enhancing coal-impacted lands for income generation, and cultivating competitive talent for high-tech job markets. The project will also improve local skills in tracking carbon, valuing ecosystems, and planning restoration that uses market strategies, encouraging everyone to take part in sustainable recovery efforts in Appalachia.