A group of eastern Kentucky leaders has endorsed a plan that would set aside money to help boost the region's struggling economy.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports board members for the Shaping Our Appalachian Region voted to support proposed legislation during an executive board meeting earlier this week.
It's unclear where the money would come from. Options include money from state income and sales taxes, coal severance taxes or relying on donations from the private sector.
People would apply for development grants from the fund, and the SOAR board would recommend how to award the money. The state Department for Local Government would have to approve all grants.
Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers started SOAR to come up with ideas on helping eastern Kentucky.
