Economy Archives - Ohio Valley ReSource

May 23

Economy

Coal prices are surging, but Appalachian boom unlikely

Ohio Valley ReSource · Coal prices are surging, but Appalachian boom unlikely David Byrd, of Sulphur, Kentucky, is one of the few people left who sell coal for household uses. Think heaters and blacksmiths. And after doing it for 62 years, he can tell the quality of each piece just by feeling them. “See how […]

By Justin Hicks

May 23

Economy

Coal prices are surging, but Appalachian boom unlikely

By Justin Hicks

May 9

Economy

Abandoned mine lands restoration brings excitement, but long-term challenges remain for mountain communities

Ohio Valley ReSource · Abandoned mine lands restoration brings excitement, but long-term challenges remain Behind a Valero gas station just outside Norton, Virginia, an access road winds up a mountain to an old strip mine site. The road ascends to a flat area, devoid of the region’s usual thicket of trees and understory, open […]

By Katie Myers

May 9

Economy

Abandoned mine lands restoration brings excitement, but long-term challenges remain

Katie Myers

Apr 25

Economy

A new kind of ‘mining’ has arrived in the Ohio Valley. What will crypto mean for the region?

Open the door of Blockware Mining’s data center in Paducah, Kentucky, and you’re met by a wall of sound. More than 5,000 machines are whirring away as they solve complex math problems, while large industrial fans keep them cool. The expansive warehouse stretches a little more than a football field. “You don’t truly get an […]

By Liam Niemeyer and Katie Myers

Apr 25

Economy

A new kind of ‘mining’ has arrived in the Ohio Valley. What will crypto mean for the region?

Liam Niemeyer and Katie Myers

Feb 11

Economy

Displaced Kentuckians still searching for housing after tornadoes

Jimmy Galbreath works hard. The scrap dealer and father of nine from Mayfield, Ky. started working when he was 12 years old. He grew up in a one-bedroom house with 15 other siblings and a mother who made sure they had food on the table. And eventually, he worked hard enough to build a life […]

By Liam Niemeyer

Feb 11

Economy

Displaced Kentuckians still searching for housing after tornadoes

Liam Niemeyer

Jan 21

Economy

From Biscuits To Steel: Ohio Valley Organizing Goes Beyond Coal

UPDATE Jan. 27: Workers from Elkview Tudor Biscuit World lost the election to unionize their shop on Tuesday, Jan. 25. United Food and Commercial Workers 400 alleges the loss was due to illegal employer retaliation, after workers involved in the effort were suspended or fired. The union has formally objected to the results and is […]

By Katie Myers

Jan 21

Economy

From Biscuits To Steel: Ohio Valley Organizing Goes Beyond Coal

Katie Myers

Dec 7

Economy

Mine Reclamation, Clean Water and Broadband: What the Infrastructure Law Brings to Appalachia

The bipartisan infrastructure bill that became law last month has billions of dollars in it for roads, bridges, airports and transit systems in the Ohio Valley. The law also addresses some of the region’s other pressing needs. The $1 trillion infrastructure law has the potential to deliver big improvements to Appalachia. It will help reclaim […]

By Curtis Tate

Dec 7

Economy

Mine Reclamation, Clean Water and Broadband: What the Infrastructure Law Brings to Appalachia

Curtis Tate

Nov 24

Economy

Two Strikes and Two Union Drives Signify Labor Unrest in the Ohio Valley

In the Ohio Valley, the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing labor shortage have encouraged workers to join what many say is a national and growing wave of labor actions. Workers across industries, in steel, health care, nonprofits and food service, have joined in calling for increased health benefits and safety measures on […]

By Katie Myers

Nov 24

Economy

Two Strikes and Two Union Drives Signify Labor Unrest in the Ohio Valley

Katie Myers

Nov 5

Economy

Justice-Owned Mines to Reopen, in the Midst of Kentucky Reclamation Lawsuit

Jay Justice, son of Jim Justice, governor of West Virginia, with whom he owns several mining companies, just announced the re-opening of four mines in Kentucky. The reopening announcement came with a promise of 150 new jobs, but an active lawsuit and a new report on overdue reclamation liabilities at Justice-owned mines suggest that […]

By Katie Myers

Nov 5

Economy

Justice-Owned Mines to Reopen, in the Midst of Kentucky Reclamation Lawsuit

Katie Myers

Oct 8

Economy

Letting the Sunlight in: When Appalachian Solar Dreams Become Realities

The promise of solar energy for small, rural communities, and particularly those recovering from the decline of the coal industry, is twofold: job creation, and revenue. Money is flowing into solar energy— the Appalachian Regional Commission just funded a major regional solar financing program, and a massive solar farm may be coming to Martin County, […]

By Katie Myers

Oct 8

Economy

Letting the Sunlight in: When Appalachian Solar Dreams Become Realities

Katie Myers

Sep 18

Economy

Coal Keeps The Lights On, For Now, At West Virginia’s Mountaineer Plant

The first thing that strikes you about the Mountaineer power plant is its sheer size. Its stacks rise more than 1,000 feet over the Ohio River floodplain, almost as tall as the Empire State Building. Its massive cooling tower can hold 8.5 million gallons of water. A 20-story building houses its 1,330-megawatt generator. It produces […]

By Curtis Tate

Sep 18

Economy

Coal Keeps The Lights On, For Now, At West Virginia’s Mountaineer Plant

Curtis Tate