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Ohio Valley Jobs Alliance Launched
By: Associated Press
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WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) – Upper Ohio Valley residents have launched the Ohio Valley Jobs Alliance to support local jobs.
The State Journal reports the mission of the alliance, which was officially announced Tuesday, involves energy, manufacturing, construction and other industries working together to create jobs.
Alliance President Bruce Whipkey says the struggling coal mining industry is integral to the region’s economy and that citizens need to fight for it. Alpha Natural Resources and Murray Energy mining operations announced last week they are planning more than 2,000 layoffs.
Whipkey says the layoffs will affect thousands of other jobs that support the coal industry and will hurt local tax revenue.
The alliance is also opposed to Moundsville Power’s proposed natural gas-fired power plant in Marshall County.