New Article on the Coal Economy Transition

I’ve got a new article on the the economic transition in America’s coal regions in the latest issue (Winter 2017) of the International Economic Development Council’s Economic Development Journal.   The article highlights the great progress being made in many coal regions, as well as the critical importance of at-risk Federal programs like the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Economic Development Administration.   The article requires registration or IEDC membership for access.  If you’re interested in a copy, send me a note and I’ll get it to you directly, too.

On a related note, the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Development Organizations are sponsoring a regional forum for coal-impacted communities in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.  This event, to be held in Denver from April 19-21, is designed to help community teams begin developing local strategies for economic diversification. It’s a great opportunity to learn from peers and leading experts and to hear from communities that have succeeded in transitioning their economies from reliance on a single industry or resource.  You can learn more and sign up here.