FRANKFORT, Ky. – Several media outlets will broadcast or stream the upcoming “SOAR: Shaping Our Appalachian Region” Summit live on Dec. 9, allowing even more Kentuckians to learn about plans and strategies for Kentucky’s southern and eastern region.

The SOAR Summit, spearheaded by Governor Steve Beshear and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers, is open to any individual who cares about Kentucky’s Appalachian region and is willing to share new ideas and recommendations about how to move the region forward.

Live coverage of the SOAR Summit will air on WYMT-TV (CBS) and online at WYMT.com, as well as on KET-TV and online at KET.org/live. Live coverage will include discussions from the main auditorium throughout the day.

PIKE-TV will live-stream most of the day’s events at piketv.com. The summit will also be recorded for later broadcast on PIKE-TV.

On Monday evening at 7 p.m. EST, WYMT Issues and Answers will feature Congressman Rogers and Governor Beshear with host Neil Middleton to discuss the SOAR Summit.

KET will also present a special program on Monday evening with highlights from the Summit, beginning at 8 p.m. EST on KET and at KET.org/live. The hour-long program, hosted by Bill Goodman, will include excerpts from the SOAR Summit and a discussion with Gov. Beshear and Rep. Rogers.

Schools are encouraged to incorporate the SOAR Summit into lesson plans on Dec. 9 and view the live broadcasts to enhance classroom discussions.

Kentuckians watching SOAR coverage are encouraged to participate by following the latest updates through social media: “Like” the official SOAR Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ShapingOurAppalachianRegion and follow SOAR on Twitter @SOAR_EKY, using the hashtags #SOAR and #SOARSummit.

More than 1,500 people have registered for the event, which will be held on Monday, Dec. 9 at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville. 

Online registration is currently closed, but interested participants can still attend the summit and register for free on site.  For more information, please visit kydlgweb.ky.gov.

Gov. Beshear, U.S. Rep. Rogers, Senate President Robert Stivers, House Speaker Greg Stumbo and other leaders announced plans for the summit last month. The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI), a national policy institute dedicated fostering solutions to the challenges facing rural regions, will facilitate discussions at the Dec. 9 event. Other national agencies supporting the SOAR effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

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