Tourists attracted to verdant mountain views, an abundance of nature and outdoor recreation opportunities, and a local legend are what city managers and others in Norton, VA are hoping will usher in the next chapter in the economic history of this region that has depended on coal mining for the past 100 years. Tourism in […]
In the midst of the Appalachian region’s declining industries, politicians are betting big on job training, with millions directed at those who lost jobs in coal mining and power plants. The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced nearly $5 million for worker training programs in Appalachia. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky announced more than $2 […]
Scott Shoupe is interviewed by WMMT reporter Sydney Boles about his experience mining coal in Harlan County, Kentucky and in Alabama, and the transition he believes miners will have to make to other kinds of work if they and the region are going to stay afloat. Shoupe quit work in mines he felt were unsafe, […]
Appalachia’s coal country is struggling to diversity its economy amidst the collapse of the coal industry. SOAR, or Shaping Our Appalachian Future, is an effort begun 6 years ago by Rep. Hal Rogers and then Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to rebuild the regional economy. The Ohio Valley ReSource’s Sydney Boles attended the annual meeting and […]
