Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development

Thousands of Kentuckians across the state are saving money on their electric bills through rooftop solar installed by reputable local companies. But there are also companies operating here that are making big promises that don’t deliver, locking you into a costly solar installation that’s overpriced, improperly designed, unpermitted, or poorly installed.

So how do you tell the difference?

• “Get paid to install solar!” “No up-front cost with this special government program!” “Available only in your area!” “Limited time offer!” If an installer makes these types of promises, proceed with caution. In Kentucky, there are no state, federal, or utility programs that will pay you to install solar, or that offer financing with no up-front cost.

• Aggressive sales tactics and “instant rebates.” If someone wants you to sign up on the spot, or within a very limited window, that’s a red flag. A reputable installer won’t pressure you to make a big investment without time to fully think it over or to get quotes from another installer.

• They offer you a quote without looking at your electric bills or without first recommending or asking about past efficiency upgrades. Your installer should be familiar with your utility’s solar net metering rates and should design a system that maximizes the financial benefit to you.

• If you already have solar, watch out for “free” offers to “inspect” your array, even if they say they’re representing a company involved with your installation. They may be trying to get in the door to sell you on batteries or another costly service you don’t need. If you’re net-metered, a battery won’t save you much, if any, money on your electric bill.

A qualified, reputable solar installer will:

• Have North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP)-certified solar professionals on staff and/or be a NABCEP Accredited Residential PV Installation Company. This is the gold standard for solar installers. Look for installers at NABCEP.org. You can also find a list of Kentucky installers at KYSES.org.
• Provide you with staff or subcontractor qualifications. Don’t be afraid to ask for a copy of the KY Contractor License Number or Master License Number for the person pulling the electric permit.
• Do a site visit before finalizing a design and quote. While technology has made it easy to do initial solar assessments remotely, an installer should come to your home or business to do an in-person assessment before offering you a contract to sign.
• Handle permitting, inspections, utility interconnections and net metering applications. They should give you a copy of the net metering application submitted to the electric service provider if you ask for it.
• Fully explain how they calculate your estimated electric bill savings over the life of the installation. If they are incorporating electric rate increases by your utility, they should be reasonable – no more than 5% per year.
• Give you time to consider your options and get additional quotes. Although there are situations that might warrant higher or lower installation costs, for residential solar installations you should expect installed cost to be around $2,500 to $3,500 per installed kW. Larger commercial installation costs are typically $2,000-$2,400 per installed kW.
• Reputable battery installers will work with you to determine what you want to back up when the power goes out. Whole-home battery backup will be very expensive – make sure to compare it to the cost of a backup gas generator.

The Mountain Association provides unbiased, third party solar assessments and advice to local governments, small businesses, nonprofits and faith-based organizations in Eastern Kentucky.

Contact our Energy Team at energy@mtassociation.org or (859) 880-3904.

The post Solar Scams Back on the Rise appeared first on Mountain Association.

As the Kentucky General Assembly winds down for the year, new legislation could reshape childcare access across Eastern Kentucky. What began in January as a growing recognition that childcare is essential workforce infrastructure has now taken shape as a package of bipartisan bills that mostly passed the finish line.

House Bill 6, the comprehensive childcare reform package, decisively passed the House and Senate during the 2026 General Assembly. The bill makes permanent the popular program that provides free childcare for childcare workers themselves. It also shifts how the state pays providers through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), moving toward a cost-estimation model that better reflects the real expenses of running a center.

House Joint Resolution 50, a companion measure, unanimously passed the House and Senate. It directs a full review of childcare regulations to identify barriers that make it difficult to open or operate a program.

Senate Bill 160, sponsored by Senate Families and Children Chair Danny Carroll, aims to give new childcare centers more flexibility during their first months of operation, acknowledging that regulatory support helps providers succeed. It was amended into the passed version of HB6.

Legislative progress is important while understanding lasting change requires ongoing engagement from families, providers, and community members. As Sue Christian of Partners for Rural Impact reminds us, childcare is both an economic driver and a community investment:

“Childcare isn’t just a service; it’s economic infrastructure. When families have reliable care, they can work, advance, and contribute to growing local economies—and communities prosper because of it. It must reflect the realities of the families it serves. Many Kentuckians need more than a few hours of care each day, and licensed childcare centers meet that need—while also preparing children for kindergarten through proven, standards‑based practices.”

This isn’t just about meeting a need. It’s about recognizing the assets already in place across Kentucky. Christian believes part of the solution are those assets that are ready to be activated.

“Kentucky has hundreds of qualified, shovel‑ready childcare centers that could immediately support Pre‑K for All and drive economic development. The infrastructure already exists—we simply need to activate it. Transforming Kentucky’s vacant, usable buildings into childcare centers is one of the most cost‑effective ways to create new businesses, generate local revenue, and revitalize small‑town main streets.”

The path ahead requires not just legislative wins, but ongoing collaboration with the people who live this work every day. As Christian notes, “Childcare centers are businesses that help entire communities prosper. When we make plans to support families and shape a stronger future for our children, Kentucky’s childcare industry deserves a role in the discussion.”

The post Childcare Solutions Marked into Kentucky Law appeared first on Mountain Association.

In a time when everything feels heavy — from current events to stretched budgets — one Somerset farm invites visitors to slow down this summer. As their 700-plus lavender plants reach peak bloom each June, the mother‑daughter team behind Woodstock Lavender Farm plans a full slate of events with everything from peaceful teas to a kids’ day, and even a ‘Supper and Stand-up’ comedy show. 

Allison Horseman and her mother, Mary May, first dreamed up the lavender farm nearly 13 years ago. Even as they prepare to welcome more than 2,000 visitors in the coming weeks, Allison took time to talk with me about the story behind the farm. Her grandfather, L.G. Colyer, fought to hold onto the land, though it meant leaving his family to make money to pay for it.  

“He borrowed $600 to buy the farm, but during the Great Depression, he couldn’t make the payments on his loan, so he traveled by train to Detroit to work for two years and sent money home to Kentucky,” Allison said. 

As a result of his hard work, Mary was able to grow up on the farm, and now Allison’s children are the fifth generation to call it home. For decades, the family grew corn and soybeans here, but Allison and Mary always felt the land was meant for something more.  

One day, while flipping through a cookbook, Mary came across the idea to grow lavender and immediately called Allison. They decided to experiment with 50 plants (“planted completely wrong”) and quickly fell in love with the herb. Each year, they added 50 more plants. Today, they produce a full line of value‑added products, from syrups and jams to pillow sprays and serums, and they host dozens of ticketed events that often sell out within days. 

“My hands are in the same dirt my grandparents and their parents worked with. It’s a feeling you can’t really explain and now, to have thousands of people visit the farm, is really incredible,” Allison said. “We’re showing people that farm and agriculture don’t always have to be corn, beans, and tobacco, it can be something different.” 

She said many guests come just to be on a farm again.  

“So many people are removed from farm life now, but they have roots there through their grandparents or parents. This gives them a way to relive part of their own story.” 

As interest has grown, so has the farm’s reach. What began as a largely in‑person experience expanded into an online storefront, subscriptions, wholesale relationships, and seasonal events. Managing ticket sales, online orders, subscriptions, and multiple platforms quickly became overwhelming. 

“I created our website and sales platform in 2015, and we had been needing to upgrade for a long time, but we couldn’t come up with the funds to do it the way we needed to. Tickets, subscriptions, and sales were spread across different platforms with and it didn’t work well for us or for our customers.” 

That’s when they reached out to Mountain Association’s Business Support team for help streamlining their systems. 

Working with Hinge Creative, one of Mountain Association’s expert consultants, Woodstock Lavender Farm transitioned its entire online presence and on‑farm point‑of‑sale system to Shopify. They also launched a wholesale portal and implemented an email marketing system to strengthen customer relationships and track data, alongside a three‑month marketing plan. 

“Now, we’ve been able to achieve everything we set out to do. The new site is working well, and we used the new POS system last summer and again during the holidays. It worked great.” 

With those systems in place, Allison and Mary have been able to fine‑tune what they offer on the farm. An extensive customer survey helped guide new events this season, including broom‑making workshops with Shaker Village, expanded lavender festivals featuring 10 to 15 local handmade vendors, and more. A strong theme from the customer feedback was the need for rest and wellness. 

“We’re leaning into that this year,” Allison said. “This is such a serene, peaceful environment and so many people just want to sit and enjoy the day.” 

Woodstock Lavender Farm now employs five seasonal workers and two part‑time staff year‑round. Allison and Mary are also planning to continue working with Mountain Association as they evaluate new ideas and shape their overall business strategy. 

To learn more about the farm or join them for some R and R at their upcoming events, visit https://www.woodstocklavender.com/. 

“As the business has expanded, it’s allowed us to keep sharing our love for agriculture and our family story. When people tell us their own similar stories, it reinforces how important it is to honor your roots.”
– Allison Horseman 

The post How a Mother‑Daughter Team Reinvented their Kentucky Farm with Lavender  appeared first on Mountain Association.