Appalachia’s gateway communities — communities that border publicly owned lands such as national and state parks and forests — often struggle to balance the need for economic growth with the desire to protect their natural ecosystems, landscapes and cultural heritage.

For decades, local industry has relied on extracting Appalachia’s rich natural resources such as coal, timber and gas. Although these industries have historically provided a local job base, poverty has been a pervasive challenge in many Appalachian communities. In recent years the Appalachian region’s economy has become more diversified; yet, even with infusions of new types of industry, the region still does not reflect the economic status of the rest of the nation.

Appalachian Gateway Community Initiative consists of a multi-day workshop, supporting webinars, and seed grant opportunity. Through these mechanisms, AGCI provides community teams with the skills to revitalize main streets, promote arts and culture, build cultural heritage and natural resource tourism, create lasting economic opportunity, and leverage natural, cultural, and recreation assets. In addition to content from national and regional subject matter experts, community teams benefit from facilitated exercises on asset identification, strengths and gaps assessment, and action planning.

For more information, please contact Susan Elks, Program Manager for Balancing Nature and Commerce, by email or at 610-563-1516.

LEARN MORE:

• Appalachian Gateway Communities “Survival Toolkit”