This article describes the formation of an educational partnership developed in a rural, Appalachian, coal-mining community. Williamson Main Street, Inc., a downtown revitalization program, and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College (Southern) combined their efforts to create the Tug Valley Economic Development Institute (TVEDI). The partnership addressed the needs of area residents who lacked access to opportunities because of their remote location. TEVDI provided a series of training, workshops, and seminars designed to give business, community, and education leaders a leadership development program. Its immediate goals included: (1) identifying potential community leaders; (2) providing area leaders with leadership training; (3) determining the community's continuing needs, strengths, and opportunities; and (4) exploring solutions to problems and challenges of the area. These goals were met through community focus groups, including a session with local high school students; interactive cohort leadership training seminars; and employer-specific training geared toward downtown merchants. Obstacles encountered included advertising the program, seminar location and catering, and lack of participation by citizens in positions of power. Among TEVDI's benefits were a heightened awareness of the community, created by the community analysis; increased knowledge of the region for its two partners; and data gathered from focus groups. (EMH)