• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Se Habla Español
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
cropped mountain association logo with copyright.png

Mountain Association

Building a New Economy, Together.

    • Access expertise to grow your business or organization.

      Apply for Support

    • Start Here
      • Learn About Support
      • Apply to Work with a Consultant
      • Success Stories
    • Resources
      • Tools & Templates
      • SPARK Nonprofit Collaborative
      • Client Login
    • Expand your impact with our flexible loans.

      Talk to Us About a Loan

    • Start Here
      • Learn About Loans
      • Start the Application Process
      • Success Stories
    • Resources
      • FAQs
      • Disaster Recovery Loans
      • CrowdMatch Loans
    • We can help you save money.

      Apply for an Energy Assessment

    • Start Here
      • Learn About Our Energy Program
      • Apply for a Free Energy Savings Assessment
      • Success Stories
    • Resources
      • FAQs
      • Solar Support
      • Energy Savings Microloan
    • Start something in your community.

      How We Can Help

    • Start Here
      • How We Support Communities
      • Success Stories
    • Hazard, KY
      • 479 Main Street Project
      • Long-Term Work
    • We can help tell your story.

      Read Our Stories

    • Blog
      • Read Stories
      • Newsletter | Social Media
    • Communications
      • Press & Media
      • EKY Influencer & Media Network
    • Building a new economy, together.

      (859) 986-2373

      info@mtassociation.org

      Sign Me Up for News

    • About Us
      • What We Do
      • A New Economy
        • How It’s Working
    • Our People
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Careers
    • Impact
      • Our History
      • By the Numbers
      • Publications
  • (859) 986-2373

    info@mtassociation.org

     

    Building a new economy, together.
You are here: Home / Communities / Our Affiliates: Kentucky Center for Economic Policy

Communities

Our Affiliates: Kentucky Center for Economic Policy

May 1, 2020

Share:

There is no shortage of ideas about what is possible in Eastern Kentucky’s future. Many people are trying to enhance and grow what already exists in the region, or invest in new and innovative things to help the economy thrive. Making these ideas realities, though, requires more than just the idea itself. It takes both monetary investment and perhaps more importantly, supportive public policy. 

logo
Since 2012, individual donations to KCEP have more than doubled. Their annual policy conference has grown from 50 attendees in 2012 to selling out at more than 200 in 2020.

Because we know it takes inclusive policies to address systemic inequity and injustice in the region, and advance a new economy that works better for people and communities, Mountain Association established the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KCEP) program in 2011. Since then, KCEP has grown substantially, adding new staff and doubling down on research and advocacy about some of the most pressing budget and policy questions and challenges facing the Commonwealth, including healthcare, criminal justice and tax reform, and higher education. They play a vital role in informing policy debates with timely, credible analysis and through strong partnerships with community organizations. 

KCEP policy coalitions commonwealth

KCEP’s analysis, education and advocacy about protecting health care recently helped stop proposed cuts to Medicaid expansion, which would have created significant barriers for 1.2 million Kentuckians, nearly 1 in 3 Kentuckians. During the 2019 General Assembly, KCEP was part of successful campaigns to pass workplace accommodations for pregnant women and new moms, defeat expensive private school subsidies that would have taken resources away from public schools, prevent deep cuts to unemployment insurance, beat an overly generous tax break for investors that falsely claimed to benefit rural communities, and block a proposal that would have taken away health care, food assistance and other forms of support from Kentuckians facing hard times. They are consulted by and cited in the media often for research and perspectives on current economic issues because they have established themselves as a credible and reliable source. 

KCEP’s work has become so critical and robust that they will transition to become a standalone affiliate of the Mountain Association in 2020. As an affiliate, we will continue to provide back office support for KCEP, including payroll services, human resources, and other administrative needs, but KCEP will have their own board of directors and function more as an independent nonprofit.

Because KCEP’s work focuses on the entire state, we identified increasing our policy capacity to address issues specific to Eastern Kentucky in our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. We simply cannot achieve our goals and reach our vision in an equitable, inclusive and effective way unless supportive policy is in place. Inclusive policy can take many forms including solar net metering bills that will make it easier for small business owners and nonprofits to save energy; initiatives for affordable broadband in every home and business; ensuring access to Medicaid is not impeded so people with low income or living in poverty can afford to go to the doctor or buy prescription medicine; and federal legislation that will make sure former coal miners who suffer from black lung never lose access to life-sustaining benefits. We plan to conduct research with the help of our affiliates and partners, and use strategic communications to inform Eastern Kentuckians and leaders. For more information on our policy work, please visit our publications page.

Back to Partnership Case Studies

Recent Posts

solar kentucky grocery frenchburg kentucky market

Energy Lending

Seeing the Light: Inspired by Peers, Kentucky Grocer Makes the Solar Switch 

Jed Weinberg knows both Eastern Kentucky and the energy world, through and through.  He grew up in Knott County, and now owns or manages four ... Read This Post

DavidCraftsConstruction

Business Support Energy

Faith in Action: 57 Years of Service at St. Vincent Mission 

From what was once a coal camp’s swimming pool in Floyd County, Kentucky, Saint Vincent Mission has served Appalachians since 1968. The nonprofit got ... Read This Post

power outage kentucky battery backup storage

Energy

Be Prepared: How to Choose Small-Scale Emergency Backup Power 

When the power goes out—whether from a storm, grid failure, or another emergency—having a small-scale backup energy solution can keep your essential ... Read This Post

Footer

cropped mountain association logo with copyright.png

Established in 1976. Prior to 2020, we were known as the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED).

Donate Now 1

Get the Newsletter

Sign Up Now

  • Programs
    • Business Support
    • Lending
    • Energy
    • Communities
    • Stories
  • About
    • What We Do
    • A New Economy
    • Team
    • Our History
    • By the Numbers
  • More
    • Donate
    • Careers
    • Board of Directors
    • Publications
    • Sponsorships

BEREA
(859) 986-2373
433 Chestnut Street
Berea, KY 40403

Meetings by appointment only

info@mtassociation.org

We are happy to make any accommodation
to better serve you. We have an on-staff
Spanish interpreter, and provide
additional free language/
interpretation services as needed.

If hearing or speech impaired,
please dial 7-1-1 for relay
services prior to calling.

HAZARD
(606) 439-0170
420 Main St
Hazard, KY 41701

PRESTONSBURG
(606) 264-5910
268 E Friend St, Ste 101
Prestonsburg, KY 41653

Copyright © 2025 Mountain Association | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Non-profit Disclosures

made by P&P
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok