“Invest Appalachia offers a corrective.”
Deseret News
A corrective to a century of extraction.
A corrective to the long-held misconception that investing in Appalachia is too risky.
We are honored to share that Deseret Magazine has named Invest Appalachia to the Deseret 50, its annual list of 50 visionary initiatives reshaping how the world gives and invests.
We are listed alongside remarkable national and global organizations doing transformative work, including GiveDirectly, Kiva, World Central Kitchen, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Beyond the recognition itself, we are deeply grateful that the team at Deseret took the time to understand our model, our project pipeline, and what truly sets community-led capital apart.
Reframing the Narrative: From Extraction to Reinvestment
For over a century, Central Appalachia powered the growth of the nation, yet the capital generated there rarely stayed in the region.
“World-changing wealth flowed out of the region, but very little was reinvested where it started,” explains Lauren Sowers, IA’s Director of Communications and Impact.
Invest Appalachia was built to break that cycle. By combining flexible investment capital with targeted technical assistance and community-driven oversight, we are demonstrating that investing in regional resilience isn’t just possible—it’s essential.
What the Corrective Looks Like in Action
In 2025, that corrective took the form of $18.3 million invested directly into businesses, community facilities, and local infrastructure across Central Appalachia.
Looking ahead, this momentum is taking shape through transformative projects like the Hotel Thelma in Bluefield, West Virginia. Partnering with the Bluefield Arts Revitalization Corp, we are helping restore this historic Green Book hotel, which is set to reopen in 2027 as affordable, accessible housing for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Looking Ahead
Being recognized on the Deseret 50 reinforces what our community partners and investors have known all along: local solutions, backed by catalytic capital, create lasting change. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Deseret Magazine, our community partners, and every funder who believes in the future of Appalachia.
To read the full feature and explore the complete Deseret 50 list, visit Deseret News.
