Taking care to source the raw material from local, sustainably raised sources, each item is unique and special. And people are noticing.

Her work has appeared in national holiday guides and many high-end home good magazines (check out the New York Magazine feature here!).

Her national success has inspired her to help other artists gain more exposure for their quality, unique crafts. Her business, sunhouse craft, will soon feature a storefront to do just that.  

The front of the shop will become an old fashioned Five and Dime soda fountain—a gathering place for the community to hang out — and a gift shop where she will expand her brand to include other artists and makers whose aesthetic fits with sunhouse craft’s. Her workshop will be in the back of the building. She also will continue to offer periodic workshops ranging from broom-making to sauna building.

Cynthia said she believes in the power of community and wants to do her part to build community both for artists and for Berea and the surrounding area. 

“The craft scene here in Kentucky is simply astonishing, and I really wanted to help create a platform for many local artisans. The whole artisan community flourishing for me is a key piece in a vibrant local economy,” Cynthia said.

She added that she appreciates all of the support from area organizations as she has built her business over the past several years.

“If small businesses like mine are the face of the emerging economy here in Appalachia, Mountain Association and organizations like it, are the backbone. With access to a small loan, and technical support, my business was able to stand on its feet,” Cynthia said.

We are proud to support crafters like Cynthia through our lending and technical assistance. Mountain Association’s energy team also worked to Cynthia to find lots of opportunities for efficiency in her new space, including retrofitting old fluorescents to LEDS, air sealing, and insulation upgrades. This work is supported by a USDA Rural Energy for American Program grant awarded in FY21. Solar is also being explored for the roof of this building.

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Along with the expansion, the store completed major upgrades in order to bring in a greater diversity of products for the community – especially produce variety, and foods for specialty diets. The produce section is nearly six times bigger– their bagged salad section alone went from 6 feet to 12 feet!

Cox Foods, based in Hindman, owns this store along with 9 others throughout Eastern Kentucky. Martin Cox, a third generation grocer, along with Jed Wienberg of Knott County own the company. With the expansion and updates to better serve their customers, they expect business to grow and are adding approximately 20 jobs to Salyersville.

General Manager Jeff Lutes has been operating grocery stores for over 30 years, and said the store is likely the most technologically advanced in Eastern Kentucky with its energy efficient store design, including modern refrigeration systems and equipment.

“Overall we are just so happy to be able to provide foods for specialty diets, like gluten-free, and healthier options. We are offering around 75-100 more products in our produce department alone,” Jeff said.  “Previously, people had to go to Paintsville, Prestonsburg, and even Lexington, for these items.”

Mountain Association provided affordable financing for the major upgrades of their heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems, and deli equipment.

“Ready access to healthy food can be a challenge in our communities.” Peter Hille, Mountain Association President, said. “Cox Foods has shown real leadership in this region and we are proud to be a financial partner in this new store. We applaud their vision in using state of the art energy efficient equipment that will help keep food fresh, costs down and customers comfortable.”

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In March 2017, Hazard resident Kay Jones sat down at CommonBond Fellowship Church for a story circle during Bible study. The theme of this particular week was about health and wellness.

The circle fostered an honest discussion about physical ailments, feelings of loneliness, and emotions that take place on an individual’s journey towards better health. Kay told the gathering she had been on a healing journey for over a year and had lost more than 50 pounds. The group was inspired, so Kay invited them to work out with her.

Three months later, Kay began leading an eight-week pilot version of what she named the “Fit & Fabulous Crew” at the Pavilion, which is a community wellness center in Hazard owned by the City of Hazard, which features tennis, indoor track, swimming pool, and more. Immediately, Fit & Fabulous Crew gained a passionate “crew” of participants who appreciate the openness and acceptance that is difficult to find in a regular co-ed gym.

“I want the women of Hazard and Perry County to know that they are not alone and do not have to hide their health struggles,” Kay said.

“When we can come together and encourage one another we can empower one another to overcome and move those mountains of disparity that are holding us back. We can become healthier and happier members and leaders in our community.”

In Fall 2018, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky facilitated a conversation between Kay and representatives of the Delores Barr Weaver Fund at the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, which ultimately led to a generous grant. As it has done in support of other emerging community initiatives across Eastern Kentucky, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky served as the fiscal agent for the grant award.

In 2019 and 2020, Kay began to look at the future of Fit & Fabulous Crew. With business planning assistance provided through Kentucky’s Energizing Entrepreneurial Communities Initiative, she is developing a business model that potentially includes a permanent space or pop-up classes at other locations like the Senior Center. The Mountain Association’s business support program also provided funding for Kay to work with Barbara Wycoff, a consultant with Creative Disrupters on business coaching including working on developing important business model information like profit and loss statements, projections, and more.

Recent research shows that strong social networks are critical for an individual’s health and well-being as social isolation can make individuals at a greater risk for depression, as well as heart conditions, and more. Prior to COVID-19, Kay offered either a lunchtime or evening class each day for just five dollars per class. Currently, she is offering classes online to help her crew stay motivated and to keep social networks strong. She is also encouraging everyone to get outside to walk when the weather allows.

To find out more information, Kay asks that you contact her via phone: (859) 268-9908

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Today, at 60, she owns and operates Spirit Strong Fitness, a studio gym for women of all ages and abilities in the Paintsville area.

As Pam worked out at her local gym throughout the years, the owner was struck by how encouraging she was of others at the gym. The owner asked Pam to become one of the gym’s trainers.

With this, Pam had found one of her true callings – helping others on their fitness journey.

When that gym closed, Pam missed working with others on their health. She was interested in starting a gym, but no one in Pam’s family has ever owned or operated a business. She said she wasn’t sure how to start a business short of mortgaging her home. After talking to a friend about her vision, she found out about the Mountain Association. She worked on a business plan, and applied for a loan with us.

And in 2017, she opened Spirit Strong Studio off of Route 23 in Paintsville where her mission is to inspire women to excellence in spirit, soul and body.

“It’s a special sisterhood here. We welcome every woman – at every fitness level, every age, every size,” Parker said. “I know what it’s like to weigh 200 pounds or more, and to be intimidated by going to a co-ed gym. There’s no judgement here.”

Pam is a wealth of knowledge and expertise in physical fitness training and weight management. Over the years, she has personally trained hundreds of women.

With certifications in nutrition and fitness from the Cleveland Clinic and through Embrace Life Certified Coaching, Parker offers three classes a day ranging from kickboxing and “Figure 8” dance, which focuses on abdominal strength, to lower impact classes like chair yoga, which caters to those who may have a difficult time getting up and down off of the floor.

Many of the classes are designed around circuit training utilizing the gym’s hydraulic equipment. Hydraulics increase resistance the faster the client pumps the equipment. This allows people of all fitness abilities to be in one class together without taking time to load or unload weights as they move from machine to machine.

Parker said Spirit Strong members range from age 9 to age 87, with multiple people in every age group.

“Everyone has their own reasons — their own why – for their journey toward health,” Parker said.

When someone joins the studio, Pam sets up a consultation to get to know them and learn their “why.” She works with them to set goals, and take baseline measurements. Part of Pam’s journey toward health was working around a hip injury, so she understands how important personal attention and modifications are to her clients. She works closely with clients during their first few workouts to check their form.

The atmosphere at Spirit Strong is warm and friendly, and the energy is contagious. Throughout the year, Pam plans special events and awards. For example, every year, they crown a “muscle queen” and a “summer strong” winner. She also plans a triathalon, which includes a run/walk at the Paintsville Lake, a cardio workout and yoga.

Parker has had several area doctors refer patients to her studio and she works with people of all abilities, including one woman who is legally blind. A few clients are working to increase their bone density to counter osteoporosis issues. Parker said one doctor had to do a second look at one of her client’s bone scan as the results were so astounding.

“Women are such givers, but we cannot give to others unless we take care of ourselves,” Parker said of her mission.

“Exercise helps so many of my clients feel younger. They get those endorphins and serotonin, and just have more energy. We share that energy and strength with each other.”

Looking toward the future, Parker hopes to expand the studio to a larger space to expand opportunities for new types of workouts.

The Mountain Association is proud to provide affordable financing for Parker’s vision for Spirit Strong Fitness. We are excited to support Pam as she helps so many other women on their journey toward a greater well-being.

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Since 1984, the organization and its dedicated team of staff and volunteers have built 248 newly constructed homes, repairing an average of 50 owner-occupied homes and maintaining 50 affordable rental properties each year. Their work also contributes to tourism by building scenic overlooks and improving the walkability of downtowns.

Based in Whitesburg, Kentucky, HOMES is part of the Letcher County Culture Hub, a county-wide network of grassroots groups that are committed to economic development through collaboration, cooperation and cultural celebration.

When member organizations of the Hub found themselves at risk of shutting their doors because of rising energy costs and new demand-charge rates from Kentucky Power, they turned to solar.

“Solar energy isn’t for or against coal. It can be a common sense business solution for everyone trying to keep their doors open,” HOMES Executive Director Seth Long said.

First, HOMES worked with MACED to lower their overall energy usage. In Fall 2018, HOMES invested in new energy-efficient water heaters and wi-fi thermostats with guidance from MACED’s energy team. With these investments alone, they will save around $1,900 per year (at this rate, the thermostats will pay for themselves in two years, and the water heaters in five years).

And in July 2019, they added rooftop solar to their building in Whitesburg. Though they were estimated to save $6,480 in savings from solar per year, as of March 1, 2020, seven months since they installed solar, they have already saved $5,610. MACED’s Energy Specialist Josh Bills estimates that with this new efficient equipment and their solar panels, HOMES will use half the electricity per year than they used to.

In addition to low-interest financing, MACED provided technical assistance to HOMES and two other Hub organizations (Appalshop and Hemphill Community Center), facilitating system design support, review of bids from potential installers, final installations, and more.

Working with Wilderness Trace Solar for guidance, HOMES was able to complete most of their installation, as well as the installation at Hemphill, using their own crew. This provided an opportunity for their employees to gain skills in solar installation. One employee, electrician Fuzz Johnson, will work with MACED in spring 2020 to gain a Solar Energy International Solar Professional certification and take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Photovoltaic (PV) exam. This will allow HOMES to eventually generate revenue by providing solar services.

With interest rates at 4% over 20 years, MACED’s solar loans were a main reason the non-profits were able to go solar.

Regarding this financing, Long said, “Most commercial loans that I’m used to seeing are 10-15 years. That wouldn’t have cash-flowed for us and it wouldn’t have been as likely for us to move forward with it because we wouldn’t have been cash positive. Having MACED to provide financing that would cash flow was a real benefit to us as well.”

At the time of the install, Long said, “We hope through our projects in Letcher County that we can be an example in the mountains and in our communities of what other organizations and businesses can do.”

And that it has.

After these projects were completed in summer 2019, it set off great interest in solar in the greater Letcher County area.

MACED has since facilitated solar installations for five for-profit businesses in the county, including Annie’s Frugal Finery completed in October 2019, SouthDown Farm in December 2019, Mountain Truck Parts and Breedings Plumbing & Electric in March 2020, and Isom IGA in spring 2020 (HOMES did the electrical work for the installation at Mountain Truck Parts). We are proud to help non-profits and for-profit businesses save money on energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and build resilience in the face of climate change.

To learn more about HOMES, please check out their website (recently updated with funding from MACED’s technical assistance program!) here.

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Being the only hotel around, it’s often booked.

Entrepreneur Glenna Combs, of Manchester, didn’t give this point much thought when she built a guest house on her property two years ago. A “hobbyist” hat maker who hosts millinery and other art related workshops at her home, Glenna built the guesthouse to accommodate her workshop attendees, who were coming from as far as Michigan for her classes.

At the same time, Stay in Clay, a community group whose focus is to strengthen the local economy was preparing to host MACED’s How to Airbnb training. The group recognized the need for lodging options that extended beyond the town’s singular hotel so that the community could accommodate guests for the many festivals and outdoor recreation opportunities happening around them.

Vanda Rice, head of Stay in Clay, urged Glenna to attend the workshop. At first, Glenna had no interest in listing her home, thinking “it was probably a waste of time,” but she attended the workshop anyway and, a few months after the training, Glenna listed her newly built Sycamore Hollow Guest House on the site.

Soon after opening her Airbnb, Glenna recognized the demand for lodging in the area was greater than her guest house could handle and decided to convert the upstairs of her home into another private Airbnb listing. In August 2019, Glenna also added her own living quarters as a third listing. She says she’ll go stay with her son if all three listings are booked. Glenna reports laundry is her biggest problem— “I forever have sheets and towels in the washer,” and she’s hired a neighbor to help clean the properties.

Glenna’s income from the listings are a testament to both the need of short-term lodging options in the area and Glenna’s skill at attracting visitors. Last year, she averaged $565 a month in earnings; so far this year she’s averaging $1,000 a month. “I know because I just did my accounting,” Glenna said.

Accounting and taxes are important points covered in MACED’s How to Airbnb training, which encourages hosts to take a proactive role in knowing their finances and paying applicable tax dollars. Glenna tells other people interested in hosting Airbnb listings that it is a “no-brainer,” and she has even worked to help another local couple start their own listing. “Everyone is staying full,” she says.  “If I’ve learned anything since the training, it’s that it’s a lot more successful than I thought it would be.”

For more information on how you can set up a listing on Airbnb, please review this handout. If you are interested in hosting a How to Airbnb training in your community, please contact us at info@mtassociation.org.

MACED is proud to have provided support for the Sycamore Hollow website.

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Willie Crase, a native of Floyd County, Kentucky, never has a dull day. As the owner of the brand new Wet Willie’s Car Wash in Martin, pastor for a five county area, and operator of a successful construction company, he stays busy.

Wet Willie’s is a fully automated car wash, and is the only car wash in Martin. The facility was built in 2018 and into 2019 with a purposeful design to have easy turn-offs, making ready access for customers.

The soft opening was held in the spring, and as of early June 2019, they had already washed around 3,000 cars. They are planning for a grand opening at the end of the summer when the interior detailing section of the shop is open.

Willie is well-loved on social media for his creative marketing techniques. He uses goofy filters to turn his face into a cartoon and talk about what is going on at the car wash. He also challenges customers to make these goofy videos as they go through the wash.

He is always innovating to keep people coming to his business, and it’s working. People are driving to Martin from Prestonsburg for car washes, and bringing very specialized cars through, like top-of-the-line Corvettes. Willie believes drying cars by hand and a lot of other attention to detail keeps people coming back. They use environmentally friendly soaps, offer a rewards card, and do a giveaway of a free wash every 1,000 cars.

Both Willie and his brother, Craig, who is a co-owner, were born and raised in the area, and strive to support the local community through the business. They host fundraisers every other week for groups from Floyd Central High School, such as the archery, cheerleading, and other sports teams. They are generous with the proceeds and groups keep one dollar from each wash, and two dollars per mega wash. They also keep all the tips and typically pair the drive with bake sales. Wet Willie’s also employs Floyd Central students to work part-time at the wash.

When not checking on things at the car wash or hauling loads of quarters to the bank, Willie can likely be found visiting job sites for his construction business, Solid Rock Development. After typical business hours, he is usually preaching at Rock Fork Baptist, throughout the surrounding counties as a traveling pastor, or spending time with his family.

When asked about his entrepreneurship, including a couple of patents he has, he shrugs humbly, “It’s in our family.”

By partnering with the Big Sandy Area Development District through the Revolving Loan Fund, MACED was able to provide capital to support the Crases in their idea. Wet Willie’s also worked with Morehead State’s Small Business Development Center in Prestonsburg to complete financial projections, start-up cost, and an overall business plan.

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Anglers is located right off of Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Though the shop is open February 15-December 15, their busy season runs from May-August while visitors are drawn to Jenny Wiley’s Dewey Lake. Kaleb said he receives visits from both locals and out-of-state visitors alike – some as far away as Texas. During the busy season, the shop receives two deliveries of live bait per week.

“I fished before I owned the business,” Kaleb laughed when asked about how often he fishes.

To diversify his business, Kaleb decided to open a shaved ice stand in July of 2018. They now offer shaved ice (with color changing spoons!) from March through October. This also allowed him to hire additional part-time employees.

Kaleb and his family’s hard work over the past three years has paid off. The shop was voted top 10 bait shops in Kentucky by Step Outside earlier this year.

Outside of the shop, Kaleb plans to start teaching using his Education and Special Education degree in Fall 2019. He also operates a photography business on the side, focusing on portraits and sports photography.

Currently, Kaleb is planning a potential expansion to ease access in and out of the parking lot at the shop. MACED is happy to provide access to capital to support Kaleb’s entrepreneurship in Prestonsburg.

Whether you need a cup of worms, a new fishing pole, or a shaved ice treat, stop by and see Kaleb and his family on the way to the lake!

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Drawing students from a seven county area, including Knott, Pike, Magoffin, Lawrence, Floyd, Martin and Johnson counties, the school has open enrollment, meaning a student can start at any time in the year. In 2018, the school received its national accreditation, which allows the school to accept financial aid for those who qualify.

The academy is a clock hour program with each program having a different number of total hours as required by Kentucky Board of Education. For example, nail technicians must complete 450 hours, and Cosmetology must complete 1500 hours. The flexibility of the clock hour system allows students to work around other commitments in their lives as needed to complete their hours, with most averaging 128 hours per month.

Working in the field for 36 years, and a licensed instructor for 16 years, Jeanetta has built a strong network of salon owners. She is always getting calls asking who is about to graduate and take state boards. For 2018, the school had 100 percent board pass rate and 90 percent placement rate.

Jeanetta is also an advocate for modern polices on cosmetology in the state. Years ago, she found out there was a regulation stating there could only be one private school per congressional district in Kentucky. She advocated for four years to get this changed. Now, there are around 70 schools in Kentucky training students in this field.

As a result of her advocacy, she was invited by the Governor’s Office to serve on the State Cosmetology Board. She has been on the board for several years as a member representing all private schools in the state, and now, Jeanetta serves as the Chairperson.

South Eastern has two other instructors/staff – Beth Slone, Academic Administrator, who is from Paintsville, and Wanda Salyer, Clinic Manager, from Magoffin County. Chasity Ward from Martin County serves as a substitute.

Jeanetta said she sees their role as mentoring in and outside of the salon environment. “It’s more than cutting hair or doing nails. We don’t just teach the curriculum, we teach beyond. Our role is making a difference in student’s lives.”

In addition to providing affordable financing for the school, MACED has now provided affordable financing for five of the graduates in order for them to start off on their own. Our energy team is also working with Jeanetta to complete an energy audit of her building to help the school save money on its utility bills. MACED is proud to work with Jeanetta as she leads in her field.

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This is Tara – a baker, teacher, artist and author – and, as of late 2018, a new resident of Whitesburg, Kentucky!

Over the past few decades, Tara has worked in several different bakeries from Vermont to North Carolina gaining experience in all parts of operating a bakery. Tara started Smoke Signals, a mobile baking school, in 2012 to facilitate workshops on wood fired baking and naturally leavened baking.

We were lucky to attend her March workshop at the Berea College Farm Store on sourdough breads.

The workshops are catered to both home and professional bakers. With naturally leavened breads, the ingredients are alive, and require some skill and knowledge to perfect. Tara led the group of about 20 bakers through how to feed sourdough starters, and how to deal with “starch attacks” and “sugar slime.”

She equipped participants with information on new tools, such as iPhone pH meters and her favorite reference books. “You can make breadmaking as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. I don’t think my grandma had a pH meter,” Tara laughed.

Tara worked with Stephanie of the Farm Store to organize the workshop. Ingredients for the breads made at the workshop were local from Berea, and led to a great discussion about how soil health leads to grain and flour quality.

This year Tara and her Smoke Signals crew will teach several week-long retreats at Pine Mountain Settlement School in Bledsoe, Kentucky, which include partnerships with many other “foodie” rockstars (like Kristin Smith of Wrigley Tap Room and so many more), old time musicians, and more. Their website has the details for these spring, summer and fall retreats. They also have a newsletter with a new bread recipe and baking tips each month.

Tara has had many exciting changes over the past few years from writing her first book, A Baker’s Year, to moving to Kentucky. We are proud to work with her as she brings her mobile baking school all over Eastern Kentucky!

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