TFEK – Building a Stronger Eastern Kentucky

TFEK – Building a Stronger Eastern Kentucky

At The Future of Eastern Kentucky (TFEK), our mission is simple:

Strengthen our communities. Empower our people. Build a sustainable future.

The ideas outlined below represent the real needs of our region and the practical solutions we believe can drive long-term progress.

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1. Education & Workforce Development

A stronger economy begins with stronger access to education.

Night classes & flexible training:

Our workforce needs accessible night courses at regional technical colleges and industry partners such as Calgon Carbon.

Calgon Carbon’s Mr. Adams has already reached out to us and plans to attend the SOAR Summit—an opportunity to build a powerful training partnership.

Reforming unemployment barriers:

Many residents face a “trap” when they lose their jobs:

They can’t access unemployment insurance.

They still owe full child support.

They risk arrest simply because they are unable to pay.

TFEK is committed to working with state leaders to fix these gaps, protect families, and help parents stay employed.

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2. Recycling & Local Economic Growth

Right now, Floyd County’s waste operations are run from West Virginia—meaning profits leave Eastern Kentucky.

TFEK proposes a local recycling industry built around plastics, paper, and metals.

This would:

Keep revenue here at home

Create stable jobs for former coal and gravel truck drivers

Generate income from waste companies paying to process materials

Allow Eastern Kentucky to become a regional recycling hub

This is an achievable, job-creating industry that aligns with future economic trends.

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3. Tourism Development

Eastern Kentucky has the potential to become a Gatlinburg-style tourism destination, without losing our identity.

With input from leaders like Larry Thacker, TFEK recognizes that we already possess:

The Hatfield & McCoy heritage sites

The Breaks Interstate Park—“The Grand Canyon of the South”

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Miles of rail lines soon to be retired from coal operations

We envision a narrow-gauge passenger train system running scenic tours through these cultural and natural landmarks. This would create a signature tourism attraction and generate new local business opportunities.

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4. Renewable Energy Assembly Jobs

Eastern Kentucky can play a major role in American clean-energy manufacturing.

TFEK supports establishing local solar panel assembly plants, purchasing affordable solar cells from overseas and assembling them domestically.

This would:

Create high-quality manufacturing jobs

Lower costs for local governments and homeowners

Position our region as a renewable-energy leader

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5. Unemployment Insurance Reform

A strong idea from community member Calvin Lawson proposes restructuring unemployment insurance to operate like Social Security:

Deducted from payroll rather than paid by employers

Fund operated at the federal level

Removes legal burden from local businesses

Expands hiring potential

Interest from the fund during low-unemployment periods helps reduce debt

TFEK is prepared to advocate for this model because it protects workers while boosting business growth.

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6. Veterans Services

Eastern Kentucky’s veterans deserve better access to care.

The nearest VA hospital is in Huntington, WV—far too distant for many rural veterans. We need:

A VA hospital located in Eastern Kentucky

Expanded local VA clinics beyond Prestonsburg

Improved access to mental health and specialty services

TFEK stands with our veterans and will advocate for improved care options.

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7. Medical Lodging for Families

When families must travel for surgeries, cancer care, or long-term hospital stays, lodging becomes a major barrier.

TFEK proposes establishing a regional medical hospitality house, similar to a Ronald McDonald House, near major hospitals.

This would ease financial stress and ensure no family misses treatment due to travel burdens.

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Conclusion

TFEK believes Eastern Kentucky deserves a future built on education, innovation, economic independence, and compassion.

With community support and leadership cooperation, we can build a region where our people no longer have to leave home to find opportunity.