Watch: Shaping Our Appalachian Region Summit 2019

Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit 2019 is underway in Pikeville this morning.

20 large grants totaling $34.4 million were announced at the summit.

U.S. Representative Hal Rogers and Governor Matt Bevin made the announcements, saying the money will help spur economic development and job creation in Eastern Kentucky.

The grants will go to projects in 14 counties and will go to several different economic areas including healthcare, job training, infrastructure and tourism.

Another announcement was made regarding the completion of the

KentuckyWired's 1B and 2 rings will provide infrastructure for broadband connectivity in 39 counties, including: (Ring 1B) Bath, Bourbon, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clark, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wolfe, and (Ring 2) Bell, Harlan, Knox, Letcher, McCreary, Pike, Wayne and Whitley.

In connection to the KentuckyWired announcement, Senture announced it will add 400 jobs to its facilities in Eastern and Southern Kentucky thanks to the new broadband connectivity. You can read more about the