Kentuky and Virginia / More than 800 coal jobs

After many rounds of layoffs, hundreds of coal mining jobs are coming back to the region. Officials with Professional Contracting say they are currently looking to fill more than 800 jobs.

Ever since Alpha Natural Resources idled four mines and laid off hundreds of workers in January, Its been the word about town. “There was a rumor that over in Norton that there was an operation that was taking place to bring back to life some of our coal mines,” said Harlan County Judge Executive, Joe Grieshop. And that rumor has proved to be fact. Officials with Professional Contracting in Norton, Virginia say they plan to employ workers at 5 mine sites that have been previously shut down. “The owner behind the scenes who wants this to happen, wants to put coal miners back to work who had been laid off,” said Grieshop.

The mines are located in Kentucky and Virginia, and officials say they have ongoing negotiations to purchase more, which is good news that many people need to hear.“This news will bring smiles to a lot of faces in eastern Kentucky in this region,” said Grieshop.“I’m glad to see them in Harlan. I mean, thats keeping our people here instead of going someplace to work,” said Harlan County local, Chester Clem.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor from:

via More than 800 coal jobs come to the region.