Big Bet: Revitalize rural communities through job creation, property redevelopment, and economic investment.
Project: The Coalfield development Corp. develops a human-centered model to revitalize rural communities through job creation, property redevelopment, and economic investment. It creates a virtuous cycle by employing and training local folks to revitalize their communities and restore dilapidated buildings to then incubate and attract employers who in turn hire community members and generate new prosperity.
Jacob Hannah is revitalizing rural Appalachian communities by leveraging local talent to transform dilapidated property into attractive investments for businesses, who then generate job opportunities and future prosperity. A 5th-generation West Virginian and son of coal miners, he has consulted on Coalfield Development’s model at the White House, World Bank, NPR, SXSW, and the Clean Energy Ministerial. He also brews his own cider and forages on his mountain.