Central Appalachian Sustainable Economies Network (C.A.S.E.N.) - Mingo County, WV

A Transition Network of the coalfields of Central Appalachia :

Basic Info

C.A.S.E.N. helps coal communities transition to sustainable economies and sustainable energy. It does so through an extensive network of partnerships through-out central Appalachia. It serves as a hub for many organizations doing transition work in the coal fields. The co-founder is also the director the Institute for Regenerative Design and Innovation associated with the University of Pikeville. IRDI functions as the research development arm investing in high level research and development for bio-based products. They also run a rural federally qualified health center in Williamson.

In 2015, C.A.S.E.N. partnered with the White House Rural Commission to develop a Local Food, Local Places action plan as a regional model that could be replicated nationally.

A training program is underway which would train and certify sustainable "practitioners," who would then be based in communities through-out the coal fields as facilitators for transition.

Type of Organization	Non-profit
Website	http://sustainablewilliamson.org/
Primary Contact	Eric Mathis
Social Media	https://www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Appalachian-Sustainable-Economies-network/741027422595950?fref=ts

Issues of Focus

Regenerative design. Transitioning coal fields of central Appalachia. Whole systems community building, Transitional economies.

History of Organization

Case network started in 2011 when a network of regional and national leaders met together to develop a system of “applied sustainability" through-out the coal fields of Southern Appalachia. The goal was to become a networking platform for organizations working in the field of sustainability through several regions, but specifically piloting the program in Mingo County, West Virginia and Pike County, Kentucky. The goal was to transform Appalachia’s struggling extraction-based economy through diversification and creating replicable on-the-ground projects through-out the area. “Sustainable Williamsburg” was birthed, winning the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Wellness Model award in 2014 for promoting a local culture of health. The network has continued to expand and a training program based through The Institute for Regenerative Design and Innovation - associated with the University of Pikeville.

Programs and Projects