For the economically depressed coalfields, building communities around energy alternatives and better infrastructure is step one to providing alternatives to coal jobs. Which is why this news from Dominion is pleasant indeed:
Commissioned by Dominion Energy, the report also found the hydroelectric project would support nearly 3,000 Virginia jobs during development and construction, including more than 2,000 in the coalfield region. Once in operation, the facility would produce about $12 million annually in tax revenue for local governments in Southwest Virginia, according to Chmura.
“We are very excited about the prospect of bringing another major capital investment to the coalfield region of Southwest Virginia,” said Mark Mitchell, vice president of generation construction. “The entire grid system will benefit from having this new generation once it comes online, and the local area will benefit from the jobs and economic benefits that will come from it.”
Over 2,000 new jobs and $7 million in local tax revenue for schools and deputies sounds like a good deal.
What’s more, as other energy projects start coming on line, Virginia’s position as an energy hub centered around the Port of Virginia and the Dulles Technology Corridor (think Amazon, folks) is a big deal.
Of course, for those of you who are thinking about the truly important things — catfish and bass — the tourism opportunities are endless.
Bass Pro Shops, anyone? Count us in.
