Kentucky is among six states that will get federal grant money to help reclaim abandoned coal mine sites.
The Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program is granting the Commonwealth $28.67 million.
Kentucky will be receiving money alongside West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama and Ohio, along with the Hopi Tribe, Crow Tribe and Navajo Nation.
The Department of the Interior says the program is meant to help create jobs and improve land in communities that have been affected by the downturn in coal production.
In the past, that money was used to help fund Pikeville Medical Center Children’s Hospital, Pikeville’s Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park, the Haas eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute in Paintsville and the Prestonsburg Passage Rail Trail.
It’s as of yet unknown what Kentucky communities will benefit from this year’s funding.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.