Two Kentucky companies use technology to create jobs

Shaping Our Appalachian Region is focused on improving the economy after a downturn in the coal industry. One of the companies they have helped launch is Bit Source.

"We do software development. We are an agile development team that develops websites, apps, games and interactions," said Bit Source President Justin Hall.

Since their launch, some unemployed workers now have a steady paycheck.

"We were able to bring in ten coal miners or former coal industry professionals and tech them how to code. Basically they're developers now in our organization," Hall said.

Bit Source started taking clients last year. Its success is bringing new jobs to eastern Kentucky.

ANKUR GOPAL/CEO/FOUNDER OF INTERAPT

"We are going to bring in 50 new employees to our company," said Interapt CEO and Founder Ankur Gopal.

Interapt....is joining Big Sandy Community and Technical College to bring jobs to the area.

"We build stuff for healthcare manufacturing and human resources," Gopal said.

Officials with Interapt said Bit Source is one of the reasons they are opening shop in Paintsville.

"Our company, we do a little bit different work in the technology sector. We work with a different set of companies, but looking at what they were able to accomplish inspired us," Gopal said.

Interapt is accepting applications right now. As for Bit Source, it hopes to hire more employees in the coming years.