Market Analysis RFP

The Central Appalachian Network (CAN) invites proposals from qualified teams to perform a regional network market analysis as part of a one-year Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) ARISE planning grant awarded to CAN in 2023. The deliverables from this planning award will inform a CAN request for an ARC ARISE implementation award, to be submitted July […]
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ARISE Funding

The Appalachian Regional Commission is providing $498,300 to CAN! This will help to further our implementation plans, working group action plans, rural economic development, and more! Since January 2023, ARC has awarded $46.8 million to 13 projects impacting 12 Appalachian states through its ARISE initiative. These projects will expand broadband, educate workers in emerging sectors, […]

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CAN Convening – Save the Date!

We are pleased to announce that our Regional Peer to Peer Convening will be taking place in Huntington, WV this year on April 2nd-4th. Some of our goals are to expand our relationships, advance the development of best practices in community development, inform and advance collaborative regional strategies, and to cultivate accessible peer-to-peer sharing and […]

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Regional Food Business Center Grant Invests in Appalachia with Funding for Food and Farm Businesses

The US government’s largest single investment in the Appalachian food system just hit our region. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $42 million in Central Appalachia to support food and farm businesses with market entry and strengthen existing connections with urban markets through increased efficiency in aggregation and distribution, meaning food and farm […]

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Fully recharged and ready to power your next solar project!☀️

With a new design, the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund website is ready to catalyze solar development in coal-impacted communities across Central Appalachia. The new site design offers a refreshed application page to help an organization determine if they qualify for a grant and a graphic impacts page showing this impressive program’s reach. Make sure to […]

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SFF Success Story: Marion County Humane Society

PROJECT DETAILS FUNDING: Marion County Humane Society received a grant from the Solar Finance Fund totaling over $29,000. PLACEMENT: Solar Holler installed a 158-panel solar system onto the roof of the new building, which should be complete by May 2023. It will generate 57 kilowatts of electricity for the shelter. IMPACT: By saving money on […]

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CEWG Mini Grant Powers Professionals to Go Electric!

In 2022, CAN had the opportunity to distribute Rapid Response Mini-Grants to fund projects for CAN Clean Energy Clean Working Group participants to advance and defend clean energy policies in Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. These are the success stories of those grants. Rural Action is driving to a future that uplifts Appalachian […]

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How to Use SFF Funding For Your NONPROFIT

Build a brighter future for your nonprofit and community by powering your organization with solar energy! Adding solar panels can bring big cost savings to your bottom line. Nonprofit organizations, including homeless shelters, educational institutions, medical centers, and faith institutions, can apply for a direct grant sub-award to offset up to 20% of total project […]

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SOLAR SUCCESS STORY: Good Works, Inc.

PROJECT DETAILS FUNDING: The Appalachian Solar Finance Fund awarded Good Works $8,250 in October 2022, adding to a $31,755 total investment. PLACEMENT: Appalachian Renewable Power Systems (ARP Solar) donated volunteer labor, placing an 11-kW solar array on the building. ENERGY SAVINGS: Good Works’ solar installation is set to offset over half of the organization’s annual […]

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A Fair Food System: Summit 6 Recap

Summit Five March 23, 2023 9:00AM–1:00PM EST Day Six Recording: https://youtu.be/fi5W6vPUm6Q Slides: CAN Summit 6 Slides Links & Additional Resources: USDA RFSP Application Page: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsp/apply USDA RFSP March 29th Webinar: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_LJgr-SU9QTKl8cnxa8qM4A Osteopathic Heritage Foundtions website: https://osteopathicheritage.org/ Recommendations for the Farm Bill: https://action.oeffa.com/farm-bill/ Invest Appalachia Fund: https://mailchi.mp/e82dbc628291/19m-for-invest-appalachia?e=0c7badede0 Speakers We are proud to welcome a litany of […]

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SOLAR SUCCESS STORY: Moonbow at 2nd & Main

  PROJECT DETAILS FUNDING: Moonbow at 2nd & Main was awarded $6,276 in Solar Finance Fund technical assistance cost support in June 2022. PLACEMENT: A 27-kW rooftop solar array was installed on a historic downtown building that now serves as a local event venue with on-site lodging and retail space. ENERGY SAVINGS: After their first […]

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New Roots Farm in West Virginia

New Roots Community Farm: An Agricultural Conservation Easement Success Story

Accessing working land is one of the biggest challenges for a beginning farmer. New Roots Community Farm is working to tackle this barrier through its work with the West Virginia Agrarian Commons and the Agrarian Land Trust by showcasing equitable land tenure models s. New Roots Community Farm https://www.newrootscommunityfarm.com/whoweare is a diversified, women-led farm that […]

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