The Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit will make its return to Corbin Aug. 26-29, and Executive Director Colby Hall says that the organization is looking forward to writing the next chapter in its partnership with the city.
“We love being in Corbin,” Hall said, commenting that working with elected officials in city hall to make previous summit events (in 2021 and 2023) a reality has been a rewarding experience. “We always feel well-supported. We feel like we bring a lot to the community, and Corbin does a great job of making sure that we feel like we’re wanted while we’re here. That is appreciated.”
This year’s summit, which will once again take place inside the Corbin Arena, is being presented thanks to a long list of corporate and community partners. That list includes the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Appalachian Wireless, the University of the Cumberlands, Forcht Bank, the Mint Gaming Hall, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), Baptist Health Corbin, Hometown Bank, KCEOC Community Action Partnership, Whitaker Bank, Community Trust Bank, Eastern Kentucky University, Union Commonwealth University, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, and many others.
On Wednesday, Aug. 27, Goodwill of Kentucky and Branscum Construction will present the all-new PurposeWorks job fair inside the Corbin Arena. “So much of the foundation of SOAR’s work is the belief in the idea that everyone should have access to the American Dream,” Hall said of this new addition to the long list of offerings at the summit. “A zip code should not predestine anybody’s economic potential or future. We know that we have lots of hard-working and skilled eastern Kentuckians who are just looking for someone to give them a chance.”
Hall said that job seekers wanting to speak with potential employers should come prepared to do so beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. They should notify whoever they speak to at the door that they are there for the PurposeWorks job fair, and they will be admitted entry to the exhibit hall to drop off copies of their resume.
Hall explained that this year’s summit will cover specific tracks of interest, including Workforce, Innovation, Tourism, Capacity and Artificial Intelligence. He said that this year’s speakers represent a “well-rounded group representing different backgrounds” who he feels will all come together to address the needs and interests of people living in the region.
Those speakers include:
– Dr. Quentin Young, President of the University of the Cumberlands
– Jeff Noel, Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
– Robert Stivers, Kentucky Senate President
– Jeffrey Reddick, American screenwriter and film director (Editor’s Note: Cinema Social has announced that on Tuesday, Aug. 26, a special screening of the original Final Destination film will be held at 6:30 p.m., and will include remarks and a Q&A session with Reddick. Tickets at $5, and are on sale now. Visit www.cinemasocial.com for more information.)
– Danielle Goonan, Vice President of U.S. Program and Policy at the Rockefeller Foundation
– Mitch Landrieu, Founder and President of E. Pluribus Unum
– Lindy Casebier, Secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
– Matt Dunne, Founder and Director of the Center on Rural Innovation
– Steve Lee, CEO of SkillUp Coalition
– Chris Girdler, President and CEO of Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA)
– Mike Johnson, CEO of East Kentucky Network, LLC and Appalachian Wireless
– Anthony Pipa, Senior Fellow with Global Economy and Development, the Center for Sustainable Development and the Brookings Institute
– Mason Bishop, Nonresident Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute
– Brent Orrell, Senior Fellow with the American Enterprise Institute
On Friday, Aug. 29, U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers and Gov. Andy Beshear are both scheduled to make comments at the summit.
SOAR Inspires Awards
Several groups and individuals will be receiving special recognition at this year’s summit, including many from local communities.
The SOAR Inspires Awards presentation is scheduled to take place next Wedneday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Corbin Arena, and will see Dr. Larry Cockrum, President Emeritus of the University of the Cumberlands, receiving this year’s Appalachian Leadership Award.
A student from Knox County, Sadie Hoffman (Barbourville High School), has been selected as this year’s Appalachian Student of the Year. When asked about this honor being bestowed upon one of his students, BHS Principal Andrew Roark said, “We are so proud of Sadie for being named the 2025 Appalachian Student of the Year. She is an outstanding student, and a leader whose character and commitment make a difference every day at Barbourville High School.”
A recent Corbin High School graduate, Kade Elam, has been selected to receive this year’s Appalachian Student-Athlete of the Year Award for his many achievements in the classroom and on the playing field as a Redhound athlete. Elam led the school’s football team as quarterback in recent years, and has been a standout on the baseball diamond as well. He is continuing his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Louisville beginning this fall.
This year’s Community of the Year Award will be presented to Manchester-Clay County. Hall said that he and the rest of the SOAR organization felt that this community has exemplified a growth and collaborative mindset in the recent past, mentioning tourism efforts, downtown redevelopment and small business startup support as a few of the area where he feels the town and the county have succeeded.
Window to purchase tickets closing soon
Hall encouraged anyone interested in purchasing tickets to attend the 2025 SOAR Summit to not delay, as online sales will only be available through this Friday, Aug. 22.
For more on ticket options, as well as to read additional information on special guests, award recipients, and more, go online to www.soar-ky.org. Readers can also access the SOAR website by scanning the QR code accompanying the print version of theis report with their mobile device.
