Economic Transition Committee

The Economic Transition committee works to develop a regional conversation and campaign around economic transition. In 2013, the committee has taken on two initatives, an Economic Transition Summit and the Appalachian Citizens Enforcement (ACE) Project.

To get involved with the Economic Tranisiton Committee, or a specific initative, contact Andrew Munn (anromu@gmail.com)

Economic Transition Summit

The crux to stronger sustainable development in our region is land ownership. Much of the land in our areas in owned by outside land companies who lease that land to timber and coal companies. Those outside land companies and coal operators are taxed at lower rates than small private landholders. A new conversation is emerging in the region about opportunities to develop land trusts and advocate for severance tax reform that would result in holding land for sustainable development and utilizing company taxes to fund sustainable development initiatives in our region. Next year, we intend to create a gathering to let that conversation develop into a regional plan.

Furthermore, with political shifts, there is a need and a window of opportunity to develop federal transition legislation.
Some ideas our members have include: a miner’s GI bill, funding for entrepreneurs in our rural areas, a change in tax codes for absentee landholders. We plan to map our options and make a timeline for research and execution.