PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- A Kentucky engineering firm that caters to the coal industry is closing its branch office in Wise, Va.

Summit Engineering Inc. of Pikeville made the announcement on Monday in a statement from Lisa Daniels, a business development representative for the firm.

Daniels said the closure is the result of "the profound economic effect on the Appalachia region because of the declining coal prices." She said the firm will continue to serve mining clients in the Wise area from its offices in Pikeville, Hazard and Big Rock, Va.

Summit has over 125 staffers, including engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, hydrologists, architects, even real estate agents.

Daniels said staff members in the Wise office will be reassigned to other locations "as opportunity exists."