The Mountain Association collection [FINDING AID UNDER CONSTRUCTION]

Established in 1976, the Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development (MACED) is a nonprofit organization and community development financial institution with office locations in Berea, Prestonsburg and Hazard Kentucky. MACED was founded by eight community development organizations in Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia to provide dependable economic development assistance to local efforts in the mountain regions and also undertake its own initiatives to generate locally based economic development. Most of these organizations had small budgets and could not maintain the skilled staff necessary to do the business development work essential to their local strategies, so MACED’s early work was largely focused on assisting cooperatively owned businesses and community organizations.

The Mountain Association went on to start programs and projects to invest in local entrepreneurship and small businesses in Appalachian Kentucky. They also led extensive research on the coal economy, supporting coal workers and communities, and other key policies. Two other organizations, Kentucky Natural Lands Trust and Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, started through foundational support of the organization.

Today, they continue to offer flexible financing, business support resources, while also creating educational programs, developing supportive communications, research and policy for the benefit of Appalachian community leaders.

The Mountain Association collection demonstrates the organization’s continued dedication to supporting sustainability and economic development in Appalachian communities. This collection represents the breadth and growth of its initiatives and programs throughout the organization’s 50-plus year history.