ABSTRACT
The village of Annville, with a population of less than three hundred, nestles in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains of southeastern Kentucky between the twin federal reserves of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Jackson County. Annville lacks most of the amenities experts tell us are crucial in high-tech manufacturing expansion decisions—high-quality education, a highly educated work force, and proximity to metro areas, universities, and airports. Residents attribute the decline of the school, which began in the late 1960s, to its growing redirection as a place to educate problem youth rather than just deliver a high-quality education. "Local workers are lacking in the formal educational levels of some areas of the country, but… their common sense, inherent mechanical abilities, and self-sufficient habits developed over years of struggling against odds make them exceptional candidates for employment." Mid-South Industries understands the importance of education and training. The people getting an education are understandably proud and place new value on education.
