SHAPING OUR APPALACHIAN REGION, INC. ("SOAR"), A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, WAS CREATED WITH THE PRIMARY PURPOSE TO ADVANCE AND PROMOTE A RESILIENT AND DIVERSE EASTERN KENTUCKY ECONOMY BY PROVIDING LEADERSHIP, VISION, AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE REGIONAL PRACTICES AND ENHANCE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN AREAS SUCH AS JOB CREATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TOURISM, EDUCATIONAL AND LIFELONG LEARNING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, ARTS AND HERITAGE, AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND FOOD SYSTEMS.