Background
In 1967, the Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA) created the Self-Help Task Force to research, identify, and address the various factors underlying widespread and persistent poverty in central Appalachia. In 1974, the (Task Force) incorporated as the Human/Economic Appalachian Development Corporation to promote, encourage, organize, mobilize for self-help community development, to make available realistic local business and job opportunities, and finally to carry out all other activities related to the general betterment of human and economic conditions.
Our Mission
The mission of Human/Economic Appalachian Development (HEAD) Corporation is to continue the innovation legacy within Appalachia by leveraging relationships through its network and providing sustainable resources to its members.
Who We Are
Human Economic Appalachian Development (HEAD) Corporation is a Community Development Financial Institution. HEAD promotes, encourages, organizes, and mobilizes community development projects. HEAD also promotes local business and job opportunities that improve the human and economic condition of central Appalachian communities.
For the past 30 years, HEAD has focused upon the human aspect of community and economic development programs. HEAD has $1,000,000 in capital and provides small business loan funding, and financial and technical assistance to startups and small businesses. HEAD also provides debt financing, business planning, and deal structuring to small and mid-sized companies in central Appalachian communities in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia through two financial instruments:
- Loan funds
- Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union
Growth Strategy
- Infrastructure Development – Administrative Restructuring Social Entrepreneurship
- Membership Development
- Economic Security and Stability
- Program Development Financial Education and Advocacy
