On Feb. 19, 2024, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill, House Bill 5223, that would create a council aimed at revitalizing the state s southern coalfield counties. The bill would establish a council consisting of governor’s cabinet members, southern coalfield county officials and higher education representatives.
The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would create an economic and energy development board for southern West Virginia counties. The bill, Senate Bill 354, would create a 15-member board that includes representatives of economic development agencies in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties and governor appointees from the private sector.
The West Virginia House of Delegates Energy and Manufacturing Committee approved House Bill 5223, which would create a council to provide economic development assistance to southern coalfield counties. The bill s approval comes amid the dormancy of another body that was created for a similar purpose in 2022, the Coalfield Community Grant Facilitation Commission.