Shifting away from coal-reliant economies might seem straightforward – just switch to another resource. However, the reality is far more complex.
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities Initiative showcased the challenges of transitioning away from coal. Communities might face financial limitations, infrastructure hurdles, a lack of job opportunities in new sectors, and social resistance to change.
Despite attending a D.C. meeting on February 9th to share their experiences with other communities and development professionals, the representatives from San Juan County, New Mexico, were returning home to a community facing the recent demolition of a coal-fired power plant. Yet, their determination to find solutions remained strong.
Sasha Nelson, a business owner in Routt County, Colorado, observed that moving away from a coal-dependent community entails a cultural shift. She is a member of the Northwest Colorado Development Council, which also encompasses Moffat and Rio Blanco counties.
Sasha suggests that simply addressing economic issues wouldn’t solve the problem. She emphasizes the emotional aspects, highlighting anger, denial, and resistance that make it challenging to find solutions.
Economic growth requires a multi-pronged approach. Attracting new businesses from various sectors is important, but so is supporting existing ones, said Corey Ringenberg, special initiatives director for Coconino County, Arizona.
He said that their focus is on empowering local businesses, regardless of size. They recognize that attracting large corporations might not be realistic, but they have valuable resources and a dedicated workforce that can build a thriving regional economy.
To address the issue of young people leaving Perry County, Ohio for college and not returning, the county is building an ‘opportunity center’ with community college programs. This initiative aims to engage the community and encourage young residents to stay.
David Hansen, director of Perry County, Ohio’s Community Improvement Corporation, highlights two key challenges in workforce development: overcoming fear of the new economy and making training accessible. Traditional classroom learning may not be the most effective approach for everyone.
Floyd County, Kentucky, is undertaking a housing initiative to build 250 new homes over the next five years. This project aims to attract new residents to the area and relocate existing residents out of flood-prone zones.
Pike County, Indiana, struggles to replace jobs lost in coal mining. Renewable energy requires fewer workers for maintenance, making it a difficult replacement industry. To address this challenge, the county offers a coworking space that helps entrepreneurs with startup costs, fostering new business creation.
Bridget Butcher-Mahoney emphasizes the initiative’s role in creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. It provides a physical space for them to connect, collaborate, and access funding – all crucial steps in transforming dreams into thriving Main Street businesses.
To address population decline, some communities are attracting remote workers by promoting their reliable internet access and attractive lifestyles.
Amy Baker, from Richwood, West Virginia, highlights the appeal of remote work. It empowers people to choose where they live and work, leading to a trend of returning residents for their community.
Her teammate, Cecil Ybanez, opened an art gallery in their Nicholas County town, aiming to attract individuals who can help transform the town’s prospects.
Believing the arts can draw attention to Richwood, officials there aim to use them to attract creative minds. With this influx of visionary individuals, the town hopes to collaboratively reimagine its future.
Coal communities’ participation in regional initiatives, like the BRECC Action Challenge, highlights the importance of collaboration beyond their borders. Their success, both historically and in the future, relies on working together as a region.
Colorado counties, once rivals, are recognizing the need for regional collaboration. As Timothy Redmond, a Routt County commissioner, stated, shared challenges necessitate working together to move the entire region forward, avoiding duplicated efforts.
As with any major project, overcoming inertia requires significant effort, and Amy Baker from Richwood, W.Va., is optimistic that these efforts will be rewarded, believing that success will lead to further success.
She said that these were designed to be both a model of sustainability and a driver for further development.
Lastly, she stated that these will be like the big dominoes. Once something starts collapsing, everything after that will continue to collapse with that momentum.
