'The Guardian' calls it a 'community for rightwingers'. What to know about Highland Rim Project
The Highland Rim Project, a rural real estate development startup focusing on creating Christian communities in Kentucky and Tennessee, is causing a stir in national media after being announced at the start of the new year.
The development was announced by Joshua Abbotoy, managing partner of New Founding, the organization overseeing the project, on X, formerly Twitter, on Jan. 1.
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“Very excited to announce this project,” Abbotoy wrote. "It is the culmination of serious time and deliberation looking at the changing shape of where Americans live and work, and the factors that are driving movement to this country. The demand we’ve been seeing already is (a) strong confirmation of the thesis."
Recent coverage from The Guardian describing the project as "the latest effort by the far-right to establish geographical enclaves" has grabbed the attention of various politically leaning individuals, some in support of the project, with many speaking out against it.
Here’s what we know about the Highland Rim Project:
What is the goal of the Highland Rim project?
According to the New Founding website, the group is determined to develop rural areas in the Eastern Highland Rim, containing parts of Tennessee and Kentucky. By working with local businesses, pastors, and other community advocates, the organization claims to be "investing to build thick communities that are conducive to a natural, human, and uniquely American way of life."
Those interested in a partnership or residing in one of the communities are encouraged to complete a “resident waitlist” or “other partnership” form online.
Where will the Highland Rim Project build communities?
The project primarily focuses on communities in Appalachia, specifically in the Eastern Highland Rim area of both Kentucky and Tennessee.
According to The Historical Marker Database, the Eastern Highland Rim contains parts or all of Cannon, Clay, Coffee DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Overton, Putnam, Warren and White counties in Kentucky.
Who is involved in the project in rural Kentucky?
Organization New Founding is spearheading the Highland Rim Project intending to “build and back” organizations and companies associated with “American ideals and a positive national vision." According to their website, the group explicitly opposes diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as environmental, social and governance initiatives. The organization also has a venture fund to secure investments.
Some of the team members involved in the project include Nate Fischer, founder, and managing partner; Abbotoy, managing partner; Santiago Pliego, director and venture fund lead; and Angus Schaller, partner.
Is there a need for these communities?
As listed on the website, New Founding’s vision is to create a “unique and time-limited opportunity to build new types of communities that are conducive to a healthy, natural and American way of life." The organization says that people, “especially since [the COVID-19 pandemic]” are “proactively seeking communities that align with their values and way of life.”
Primary ideals for the community include pro-Christendom, pro-human and pro-American values. Abbotoy also told The Guardian a majority of leadership will be “Protestant Christians."
National data provided by the Pew Research Center between 2018 and 2019 showed a 12% decrease in Americans identifying as Christians in the past decade. Continuously, 43% of U.S. adults identifying as Protestant between 2018-19 saw a decrease from 51% in 2009, while Catholics dropped from 23% to 20%.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Highland Rim: What to know about the right-wing Kentucky project
