Energy Communities AmeriCorps VISTA Bloomberg - CVADD Year 1

As energy opportunities expand, coal and power facility jobs are declining across the United States. This VISTA project will develop and advance programs that increase environmental awareness and stewardship, job training, employment pathways, and access to existing federal and community resources for low-income individuals living in energy transition communities.

The Cumberland Valley Area Development District's official mission is "to bring local civic and governmental leaders together to accomplish major objectives and take advantage of opportunities which cannot be achieved or realized by those governments acting alone". This position will be associated with our Economic Development unit, whose focus is helping local governments improve infrastructure, respond to crises, and realize potential for economic growth and greater, more effective use of the resources already available in the area. We work closely with the officials in our 25 county and city jurisdictions, providing guidance in funding opportunities, writing or assisting with grant applications, and administering grant programs to ensure they meet federal and/or state standards.

We are focusing our efforts through this program on three counties ¿ Knox, Harlan, and Bell. The VISTA will serve under guidance by CVADD staff, in community outreach, grant writing, and grant program management to ensure needs in the community are being addressed. The area is poised to tackle the future, and it is an exciting time to work here.

CVADD works hard to help local jurisdictions find funding to build the infrastructure necessary to support new jobs and industries, to promote the area¿s distinct culture, and to provide guidance in preparing communities to be grant-ready. The VISTA will help us provide those services, which are focused on helping communities help themselves so efforts are foundational and sustainable.