I was never sure which family in the Hatfield-McCoy feud was on the West Virginia side and which one was on the Kentucky side. Maybe they were all just sprinkled around the whole area. In any case, it made for an interesting competition.

Perhaps it’s time to rekindle some competition with Kentucky, only this time with a healthier tone. Kentucky (particularly Eastern Kentucky) shares a similar heritage and culture with West Virginia. Coal mining. Moonshine. Bluegrass and folk music. Appalachian arts and crafts.

Unfortunately, it has also shared economic and educational challenges as well. Whereas WV ranks 51st in the percentage of citizens with colleges degrees (counting Washington, DC), Kentucky ranks only 48th. WV ranks 50th in the recent Kaufman Foundation-sponsored New Economy Index, Kentucky 48th. Tiny bragging rights, for sure.

However, Kentucky can brag on their more recent efforts to change the direction of their future in the globalized New Economy. Ten years ago they began aggressively recruiting Ph.D.-level talent to their university research centers. They have developed nationally-respected innovation conferences which have helped to stimulate their own creativity and brand themselves as an innovative region. And they have aggressively embraced technology, broadband connectivity and education as the foundation for their future. And yes, they are marketing their efforts well.

Our Appalachian neighbors should inspire us to reach higher and dream bigger dreams for our own hills.