BLEAK economic conditions have led generations of West Virginians to leave their homes for jobs in other states.
Akron was once jokingly referred to as the capital of the state because so many West Virginians moved there. But the town retired as the Tire Capital of the World and West Virginians headed south to North Carolina.
Now jobs are drying up down there.
Mexico may be next.
TK Mining Services Worldwide was among the companies at a jobs fair last week at Tamarack. It is seeking experienced miners. Its openings include 35 jobs in Mexico - as well as eight in Australia and 100 in Canada.
"This is a great opportunity for miners, especially if they are young and want to travel, and TK is an excellent company to work for," said project manager John Paul Coats.
Mining requires skills, judgment and experience. There always seem to be job openings for people with skills - and for those who want to travel, the more skilled a job is, the more portable it is.
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NOT all the coal production is overseas. King Coal may not be a prophet in his own land thanks to an overzealous Environmental Protection Agency, but 2011 was a banner year for coal. Exports topped 107 million tons last year, the highest in 20 years.
Exports to South Korea jumped 81 percent. Exports to India jumped 65 percent. Japan's purchases more than doubled in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown.
Environmentalists oppose burning coal to generate electricity. But given the restrictions and pollution controls already in place in the United States, would it not be better for the environment worldwide if the coal were burned here to generate electricity rather than across the ocean where conditions are less than ideal?
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THE Parkways Authority, which oversees the West Virginia Turnpike, gave a $7.2 million contract to West Virginia Paving Co. this week for milling and resurfacing some sections of the roadway.
All of the work is part of a 10-year deferred maintenance program, Turnpike Manager Greg Barr told the Register Herald in Beckley.
"It takes time, but we're gaining on it," he said.
BLEAK economic conditions have led generations of West Virginians to leave their homes for jobs in other states.
Akron was once jokingly referred to as the capital of the state because so many West Virginians moved there. But the town retired as the Tire Capital of the World and West Virginians headed south to North Carolina.
Now jobs are drying up down there.
Mexico may be next.
TK Mining Services Worldwide was among the companies at a jobs fair last week at Tamarack. It is seeking experienced miners. Its openings include 35 jobs in Mexico - as well as eight in Australia and 100 in Canada.
"This is a great opportunity for miners, especially if they are young and want to travel, and TK is an excellent company to work for," said project manager John Paul Coats.
Mining requires skills, judgment and experience. There always seem to be job openings for people with skills - and for those who want to travel, the more skilled a job is, the more portable it is.
***
NOT all the coal production is overseas. King Coal may not be a prophet in his own land thanks to an overzealous Environmental Protection Agency, but 2011 was a banner year for coal. Exports topped 107 million tons last year, the highest in 20 years.
Exports to South Korea jumped 81 percent. Exports to India jumped 65 percent. Japan's purchases more than doubled in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown.
Environmentalists oppose burning coal to generate electricity. But given the restrictions and pollution controls already in place in the United States, would it not be better for the environment worldwide if the coal were burned here to generate electricity rather than across the ocean where conditions are less than ideal?
***
THE Parkways Authority, which oversees the West Virginia Turnpike, gave a $7.2 million contract to West Virginia Paving Co. this week for milling and resurfacing some sections of the roadway.
All of the work is part of a 10-year deferred maintenance program, Turnpike Manager Greg Barr told the Register Herald in Beckley.
"It takes time, but we're gaining on it," he said.
Turnpike revenues were up 2.4 percent over March 2011, which is encouraging.
But more encouraging still is the fact that the authority is getting the money it needs to maintain its major asset - the road itself.
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EARLIER this week, the Kanawha County Clerk's office reported it still needs 22 poll workers for the May 8 primary.
Poll workers receive $175 for working 13 hours on Election Day, plus another $50 to attend a training session before the primary.
Given that state workers get the day off, and given the particularly high percentage of retirees in Kanawha County, finding poll workers should not be a problem.
Properly conducted elections are the foundation of the republic.
Kanawha County residents who are registered to vote and have the time to spare should call 304-357-0110 for information on how to enlist in this very special army.
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EVERYONE in the Kanawha Valley is happy to see the stamping plant in South Charleston re-open as it makes parts for Honda and Ford.
Other potential customers include BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors.
The stamping plant's success depends on the quality of its parts and the needs of its customers. Foreign investments in the United States give the stamping plant a broader base of customers, which increases its odds of success.
The number of automakers in the United States is now up to 14.
Most of the plants are not in or near Detroit. The idea that Detroit is synonymous with the automobile business in America is as almost as outdated as fins on cars.
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