The proposed bill aims to establish the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program in West Virginia, specifically targeting Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties. This program is designed to address the economic challenges faced by these areas due to the decline of the coal industry, exacerbated by federal regulations. The bill outlines the creation of a Revitalization Council, which will coordinate efforts among state government, educational institutions, and private sectors to provide technical and economic assistance. The program is set to last for five years and will focus on inventorying existing resources, developing strategies to stimulate economic activity, and prioritizing the use of West Virginia's natural resources and industries.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Revitalization Council to report annually on the progress of the program and its impact on the Southern Coalfield counties. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with contributing partners, such as various universities and development centers, to enhance the program's effectiveness. The council will work to educate businesses about available economic development incentives and will prioritize leveraging state property and equipment to support businesses investing in the region. Overall, the bill seeks to foster a collaborative approach to revitalizing the Southern Coalfield area and mitigating the negative effects of the coal industry's decline.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5B-2-22
Committee Substitute: 5B-2R-1, 5B-2R-2, 5B-2R-3, 5B-2R-4, 5B-2R-5, 5B-2R-6, 5B-2R-7, 5B-2R-8, 5B-2R-9, 5B-2R-10
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 5B-2R-1, 5B-2R-2, 5B-2R-3, 5B-2R-4, 5B-2R-5, 5B-2R-6, 5B-2R-7, 5B-2R-8, 5B-2R-9, 5B-2R-10