New funding is set to help Alabama coal communities. APR Student Reporter Allison Mollenkamp has more…
The Southern Research Institute and the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center are teaming up to fund an entrepreneurship program and a business development plan.
A total of one hundred twenty thousand dollars will be split between the programs. It will target the Appalachian region of Alabama with an aim at spurring small business in the area.
Corey Tyree is the Director of Energy and Environment at the Southern Research Institute. He says these programs will help communities hit hardest by changes in the energy industry...
“Coal was an important part of our historical economic base. The industry provided jobs, tax revenues. It was a way of life for a significant portion of our state’s population. Like others in the Appalachian region Alabama has felt the impacts of the coal downturn.”
Funding for the business development plan will go to research into successful programs in other states.