CORBIN − The 2025 SOAR Summit concluded in Corbin last Friday with a Principal Officer Plenary that highlighted both the resilience of Eastern Kentucky and major new investments aimed at shaping the region’s future.
Governor Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers led the closing session — underscoring the importance of collaboration, economic revitalization and disaster recovery.
SOAR Executive Director Colby Hall opened the plenary by recognizing first responders, city officials and volunteers who aided recovery efforts during the May tornado in Laurel County and other natural disasters in the region.
Leaders from London, Pulaski and surrounding communities joined him on stage to be honored for their service.
“Over 200 showed up today from as far as Florida, and all over the country that participated in the response,” Hall said. “What a great way to start the morning as a way to say thank you to these heroes, and their important work in helping us rebuild from these tragedies that have happened — but that we are going to build back stronger and ever than before.”
Gov. Beshear followed by praising the resilience of the people of Eastern Kentucky in the face of disasters such as the 2022 floods and the May tornado.
“After natural disasters, we see that people at their core are good,” Beshear said. “We see God in the strength, the kindness and the love in Kentuckians.”
He turned his remarks toward the progress being made through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program, which has provided millions of dollars to communities impacted by historic coal mining.
Beshear highlighted completed projects including waterline replacements in Hazard, wastewater upgrades in Jenkins and expansions at the Appalachian Valley Autism Center in Floyd County.
“No parent should ever hear that the best thing for their child’s healthcare is to move,” Beshear said. “With some of the investments we are making today, we are gonna make sure that no parent does hear that in Eastern Kentucky.”
Approximately 15 new AMLER awards were also announced during the closing plenary.
Among those recipients of this year’s AMLER awards were Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, which was awarded $780,000 to build a new dormitory for its nursing students.
Dr. DJ Washington, President of Union, said that the project will give local students the opportunity to train in world class facilities, and serve their neighbors with the skill and compassion they deserve.
Somerset Community College’s Laurel County campus was awarded $6 million for a career and technical education training complex that will support workforce programs in construction, HVAC and other trades.
Saint Joseph London received $650,000 toward the purchase of a new CT scanner — expanding care for the 34,000 patients it serves each year.
In addition to AMLER funding, Beshear pointed to other statewide progress — including a 30 percent decline in opioid-related deaths over the past year, record-breaking tourism and $42 billion in new investments since he took office, creating nearly 63,000 jobs.
Also announced at the plenary session was Beshear’s intention to push for universal preschool for all Kentucky four-year-olds in the next legislative session.
In June, the governor formalized the effort with an executive order establishing the “Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Advisory Committee,” emphasizing that the initiative would deliver broad benefits by boosting student achievement, strengthening the workforce and easing family budgets.
Congressman Rogers built on Beshear’s remarks, praising Kentuckians for their role in driving both state and national success.
“Eastern Kentucky has proven once again that we are stronger than any storm we face,” Rogers said. “Our best resource has always been you — the Appalachian people who fuel the nation’s industrial revolution and growth renovation across the country.”
He also pointed to Kentucky’s leadership in combating the drug epidemic and detailed his request for nearly $150 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2026.
The request includes $45 million for first responders and emergency facilities, more than $100 million for infrastructure projects such as the Somerset northern bypass and the Mountain Parkway expansion, and $10 million for aerospace education and drug recovery initiatives.
Both leaders credited SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) for creating opportunities and bringing communities together.
“You cannot tell the story of the United States of America without talking about Eastern Kentucky,” Beshear said. “Because of everyone here, this region is going to play a major role in the future of our country too.”
The plenary concluded with Beshear’s call for compassion and unity, and his continued dedication to the state.
“Life is short,” Beshear said. “Our job is to do good things, and to be kind to each other. I think that is what is seen every year at SOAR.”
For the full recording of the 2025 Officer Plenary Session and other events throughout the summit, visit the Shaping Our Appalachian Region Inc. (SOAR) Facebook page.