Cross-Sectoral Partnership Building in Two Appalachian Towns

Drawing from two case studies in Appalachia, this article examines acute and enduring challenges for small towns in otherwise rural areas during a time of political turbulence. When schools and hospitals close, industries leave, and youth exodus escalates, how can Appalachian culture and values endure? With a shift towards “big society” and citizen self-reliance (Edelenbos, van Meerkerk, & Schenk, 2018), small towns (~2,000 in population) may struggle to fill gaps in capacity to sustain themselves and their citizens’ livelihoods. However, beyond their financial functions, Appalachian communities harbor history, local expertise, and community pride to underpin and guide their entrepreneurship, social services, and creative place-making initiatives. Cross-sectoral partnerships are integral to the future of Appalachia’s small towns, dependent on funding from sources such as the local and regional foundations established through the sale of capital assets, from the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund, and from pooled federal-state funding initiatives. These provide needed support for the creation of walkable, vibrant communities, nonprofit health centers, and local food enterprises, among other initiatives. Our ongoing praxis and community engagement research compares two Appalachian towns through field observations and stakeholder dialogue to explore the dynamics of how these partnerships can be curated and sustained. We also critically consider the role that higher education partners may play in assisting communities as they seek to develop such partnerships. Reference Edelenbos, J., van Meerkerk, I., & Schenk, T. (2018). The Evolution of Community Self-Organization in Interaction With Government Institutions: Cross-Case Insights From Three Countries. American Review of Public Administration, 48(1), 52–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/027507401665114