In order to turn this region around, we must build a new economy that is much more diverse, sustainable and resilient—one that encourages entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, creating jobs for themselves and others, increasing local spending power, and supporting local economies that will revitalize our communities. MACED’s vision for eastern Kentucky is of a sustainable economy that provides opportunities to people and communities that do not require them to choose between work and having a healthy environment in which to live. We seek to create economic opportunity, strengthen democracy and support the sustainable use of natural resources. We envision a just transition to a post-coal economy that is more diverse, resilient and equitable and a region that reflects the following long-term goals: Strong and diverse economy. Increased family wellbeing. Healthy and protected land, air and water. Effective and accountable democracy.

In order to achieve our vision of a sustainable regional economy that meets the needs of low-income people and protects natural resources, MACED integrates four core strategies across program areas to create a Just Transition in Appalachia. • Invest capital in enterprises and communities. We provide affordable capital to businesses and community agencies so they can create meaningful and well-paying jobs in rural communities. • Build entrepreneurial and leadership capacity. We work to build the capacity of clients and community partners through one-on-one support and classroom-based training. • Demonstrate development ideas. We develop and test new development strategies and ideas that have potential to address challenges and meet needs in Central Appalachia. • Conduct research and communications for policy change. We conduct high-quality research and generate and advocate for ideas that can help build the infrastructure necessary to support a sustainable regional economy.

MACED brings considerable capacity to the strategies and programs we pursue. Whether in energy, enterprise development, or research and policy, our staff brings expertise and years of experience in their given field. We also have high-quality support staff in place who ensure the overall smooth operation of the organization, including human resources, finance, accounting, fundraising, communications, and other core functions. MACED also recognizes that our capacity and reach is limited, and we cannot be effective without partnership and collaboration. We rely on strategic alliances and depend on partnerships with likeminded organizations in various sectors across the region. Some of these partners include Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, utilities in the East Kentucky Power Cooperative, other technical assistance providers, various governmental agencies, and other development actors in eastern Kentucky and the wider region.

We are successful when our development strategies result in tangible economic and environmental outcomes that benefit economically distressed communities and demonstrate the potential to be replicated and scaled. The visible impacts of our programs encourage ambition and prove out the potential for Just Transition, in this region and on a larger scale. We believe that changing the narrative about the past, present and future is a precondition to success. MACED tracks a set of specific indicators tied to our five-year strategic plan and captures stories and lessons that reflect on our progress. These indicators include measurable outputs and outcomes that we believe are credible proxies for long-term impacts. They reflect progress across a key set of strategies and directions. The indicators include metrics such as jobs created, energy saved, policies advanced, income earned or saved, and media hits.

We continue to recognize that the work to create a Just Transition is a long-term commitment and that many important elements of this transition will take significant time to bring to fruition. We believe that significant progress has been made toward our goal of bringing Just Transition to the Appalachian region in recent years, evidenced by significant changes in conversations around a new economy, major new federal and private investments becoming available to help communities move forward, and an increase in uptake of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The heightening of the conversation around the Just Transition framework has further legitimized our efforts and accelerated their progress.