The proposed bill aims to establish the Southern Coalfield Resiliency and Revitalization Program, which will operate for five years to address the economic challenges faced by Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties in West Virginia. The program seeks to create a collaborative effort among state government, higher education, and private and nonprofit sectors to enhance technical, agricultural, and economic assistance in the region. A Revitalization Council will be formed to oversee the program, prioritize resources, and develop strategies to stimulate economic activity, while also conducting assessments of available assets in the area.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Revitalization Council, which include identifying resources for economic development, coordinating with contributing partners, and developing policies to diversify local economies. The council will also report annually on the progress of the program and the support provided to the Southern Coalfield counties. The bill emphasizes the importance of leveraging West Virginia's natural resources and industries to foster economic growth and reduce manufacturing costs in the region.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5B-2P-1, 5B-2P-2, 5B-2P-3, 5B-2P-4, 5B-2P-5, 5B-2P-6, 5B-2P-7, 5B-2P-8, 5B-2P-9, 5B-2P-10