COMM 2100 90 Midterm Willingham
Trevor Willingham
Professor Baker
COMM 2100-90
October 23, 2014
Hellpit Leaves Thousands Jobless
By Trevor Willingham
Prosper, W.Va.
United Coal Company’s Mine No. 3, known locally as Hellpit, announced yesterday that the Prosper, W.Va. mine will close in two weeks for an indefinite period.
The mine employed 1,000 people. Company officials cannot be reached by phone, but released a statement saying the reason for the closing is due to a severe cutback in demand for coal because of a shutdown in manufacturing nationwide.
“We hope to see an increase in demand, but until we do, the mine will remain sealed.” Company President Wilson Standridge said.
Prosper is a mining town of 909 people in the northeast corner of Crocker County. Since the deep-shaft coal mine was opened in 1901, it has provided a major source of employment for the town’s people, and in the last 18 years has brought more than 800 people from other towns to work every day at the mine.
When Prosper was incorporated and became eligible for coal tax revenue, its budget had risen from $40,000 to $300,000.
A cutback in the amount of $60,000 for the upcoming fiscal year is likely to start in 30 days.
“That will cover essential services like police protection and utilities at city hall and at the new ball park.” City clerk Wilma Foster said.
“With the mine closed, our revenue is just about gone.” Mayor Lester Jenkins said.
Some tax money will continue to dribble in as stockpiles of coal are depleted. The town council will talk about a new budget at its meeting tomorrow night.
Summary
A small town located in Prosper, West Virginia is losing its major source employment. The mine has been open since 1901 and is closing due to lack of demand for coal and shutdown in manufacturing nationwide. The United Coal Company’s Mine No. 3 will close for an indefinite period and the mine will remain sealed until there is an increase in coal demand.
Professor Baker
COMM 2100-90
October 23, 2014
Hellpit Leaves Thousands Jobless
By Trevor Willingham
Prosper, W.Va.
United Coal Company’s Mine No. 3, known locally as Hellpit, announced yesterday that the Prosper, W.Va. mine will close in two weeks for an indefinite period.
The mine employed 1,000 people. Company officials cannot be reached by phone, but released a statement saying the reason for the closing is due to a severe cutback in demand for coal because of a shutdown in manufacturing nationwide.
“We hope to see an increase in demand, but until we do, the mine will remain sealed.” Company President Wilson Standridge said.
Prosper is a mining town of 909 people in the northeast corner of Crocker County. Since the deep-shaft coal mine was opened in 1901, it has provided a major source of employment for the town’s people, and in the last 18 years has brought more than 800 people from other towns to work every day at the mine.
When Prosper was incorporated and became eligible for coal tax revenue, its budget had risen from $40,000 to $300,000.
A cutback in the amount of $60,000 for the upcoming fiscal year is likely to start in 30 days.
“That will cover essential services like police protection and utilities at city hall and at the new ball park.” City clerk Wilma Foster said.
“With the mine closed, our revenue is just about gone.” Mayor Lester Jenkins said.
Some tax money will continue to dribble in as stockpiles of coal are depleted. The town council will talk about a new budget at its meeting tomorrow night.
Summary
A small town located in Prosper, West Virginia is losing its major source employment. The mine has been open since 1901 and is closing due to lack of demand for coal and shutdown in manufacturing nationwide. The United Coal Company’s Mine No. 3 will close for an indefinite period and the mine will remain sealed until there is an increase in coal demand.