Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) is proud to announce strong results from its Prosper Appalachia youth services initiative, including a significant return on investment (ROI) and the recent completion of a successful summer of internships across its 23-county service area in Eastern Kentucky.
Prosper Appalachia is a key component of EKCEP’s youth services strategy, and its in-school component is active in dozens of high schools across the 23-county region. The program pairs education with paid work experience and helps young people envision their future, build skills, and prepare to contribute to the region’s economy.
In 2025, Prosper Appalachia funded 725 internships for Eastern Kentuckians in the 16-24-year-old age group, giving them valuable opportunities to gain hands-on work experience and explore career pathways close to home. In total, the program generated $3.2 million in wages directly paid to interns, strengthening both family incomes and the regional economy.
Additionally, an independent analysis from Lightcast shows that Prosper Appalachia produced a $6.39 return on investment during Program Year 2023 (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024), proving that with the right support, young people—especially those who face significant barriers—can not only succeed, but thrive.
“Prosper Appalachia represents one of the most important investments we can make in our region’s future,” said EKCEP Executive Director Becky Carnes-Miller. “Through these internships, we’re helping our young people gain real experience, confidence, and a paycheck all while supporting local businesses that need fresh talent. And the ROI proves what we already know: when you invest in Eastern Kentucky’s youth, you’re investing in the long-term prosperity of our entire region.”
Funded through a unique blend of resources, including the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER initiative, and a generous allocation from the Kentucky General Assembly’s Putting Young Kentuckians to Work initiative, Prosper Appalachia demonstrates the power of partnerships in workforce development.
“We are deeply grateful to our federal, state, and regional partners for making this program possible,” Carnes-Miller added. “Their commitment has allowed us to create hundreds of internships that change lives, strengthen communities, and ensure the next generation is ready to lead.”
In addition to its funding partners, EKCEP recognizes the vital role of its Community Action contractor partners, who serve as the direct service providers of Prosper Appalachia. These organizations work on the ground in schools and communities to connect students with opportunities, provide mentorship, and ensure that every internship placement is successful. Their commitment and local expertise are essential to the program’s success and its ability to reach young people across the region.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. EKCEP is funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, along with various federal and state grants and private donations. Learn more at ekcep.org.