Pandemic-Fueled Homebuyers Moving To Appalachia

The pandemic has caused a boom in the housing market across the country — and Appalachia is no exception. People have been spending more time inside their homes these days. This, coupled with an increased popularity in remote work, has had people rethinking their lives in big cities. Some have even bought houses in the region sight unseen.

We’ll also hear from some new residents who have moved to Appalachia during the pandemic. We’ll learn what inspired them to leave the cities and move to a rural region.

National Park Designation Has Some Worried

The New River Gorge has long been a destination for tourists and outdoor adventurers. The area was originally given federal protection as a National River in 1978. Late last year, it became West Virginia’s first national park.

The new designation will bring more people to the Gorge, and some new challenges, too. Less land will be open to hunting, while more visitors will place an additional burden on the infrastructure within the park, and in the communities around it.

Texas Tavern Celebrates 91st Birthday

While many businesses have struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic, the Texas Tavern in downtown Roanoke, Virginia has been a steadfast business in the area. The Star City institution recently celebrated its 91st birthday.

While they’ve had to make adjustments during the pandemic — including switching to take-out only — the restaurant continues to be a staple in the town. Roanoke continues to see new growth in the area, but the Texas Tavern remains the same. And that’s how customers like it.

Towns Face Expensive Flooding Threat

Kentucky and other parts of Appalachia were recently hit by severe floods — and are still recovering. Across the country, more than 4 million homes are at risk of major flood damage. Scientists say climate change is driving a lot of this flooding. And poorer people stand to lose the most.

NPR’s Rebecca Hersher reported on the recent flooding in Rainelle, West Virginia. Many are still recovering from the flooding in June 2016. Many have since left the area, which has only exacerbated the issues.

West Virginia Praised For Vaccine Rollout

West Virginia’s vaccine rollout has been called “a massive success” by political leaders. Per capita, the state has had one of the highest rates of vaccine distribution in the world. West Virginia was the first in the nation to complete its second round of COVID-19 vaccinations at all nursing homes and assisted living facilities statewide.

Compared to the rest of the world, West Virginia’s vaccine rollout is impressive. But when you look beneath the surface, it hasn’t been equitable. Black residents have been vaccinated at a significantly lower rate than white residents. Over the past month, West Virginia has worked to try to get more vaccines to Black residents, and to folks in poorer, more rural regions.

Appalachian Movement Press and Radical DIY Publishing

Also in this episode, Inside Appalachia co-host Mason Adams interviews Shaun Slifer, a Pittsburgh artist who recently published a book, “So Much to Be Angry About: Appalachian Movement Press and Radical DIY Publishing, 1969-1979.” Slifer discusses the Appalachian Movement Press, which began in the 1960s when a group of young people began printing pamphlets, with the aim of helping tell Appalachia’s story from the people, by the people.