In "Coal Country" Where Rails are Becoming Trails Filled with Hope and Prosperity!

There has been a lot of discussion in the public press as well as in social media over the past few years surrounding the economic plight of the Appalachian Region of the United States also commonly referred to as “Coal Country.”  In reality, this was one of Donald Trump’s popular speech topics on the way to winning the 2017 Presidential election, “bringing back coal mining jobs”, was the common thread.  What actually constitutes coal country?   According to Sourcewatch.org, the region's vast area covers an estimated 63,000 square miles and stretches from Northern Pennsylvania to Alabama.  Most of the active mining focuses in parts of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania.  Much smaller mining operations have been identified in Tennessee and Alabama.  Looking at the map below we see this area is referred to as the Appalachian Coalfields, however it does not necessarily include Alabama, the geographic definition really depends on the resource reviewed.  

Many Americans disagree on the idea that coal jobs should or will come back.  Obviously in the past the industry was one of the most significant employers in the region. At one time, the region produced 66% of the coal requirements of the United States.  As recently as 2010, this industry has become a shell of its former self only employing 2% of the Appalachian workforce.  Now, through old fashioned entrepreneurship, hard work, and innovation, there is hope for economic recovery.  A paradigm shift is under way in many parts of the region that is changing the narrative from surviving to thriving. 

Due to the raw beauty of the region and the access to many closed or rerouted train track systems, many opportunities exist to turn the rails into trails for recreational and tourism opportunities.  These are abandoned rail lines that previously serviced coal mines and coal towns.   In West Virginia, the North Bend Rail Trail is a 72-mile trek spanning parts of western and north-central West Virginia. It is a well utilized trail today that was previously part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.  It is a popular destination is due to the history and beauty of the trail bed which includes 10 tunnels.  

Another example is The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail that travels 150 miles from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD following the route/towpath of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.  The ambitious GAP project has plans to continue the trail all the way to Washington, DC which will bring the total length to 335 trail miles.  The journey will allow for unimpeded travel from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.   

What does all of this talk about trails have to do with Coal Country and economic recovery?  Many of the towns along these trails are referred to as “Trail Towns” and the residents are enjoying an economic rebirth through bicyclists and other pedestrian visitors.  Considering the GAP trail alone, annual use of the trail has surpassed 1,000,000 visits.  West Newton, PA was at one time a place to ride past because the town was lacking the range of basic services that riders were willing to buy.  Now it is a destination due to community leaders and The Progress Fund.  In West Newton alone, the fund enabled the rehabilitation of four vacant/derelict properties, assisted with community development loans to four separate businesses, funded façade grants, cleanup of riverbanks, and helped establish trail way location signage.   

Today’s cyclists frequent eateries, bicycle shops, delis, groceries, pubs, local general merchandise stores, and laundromats.  The riders and hikers seek comfort through bed and breakfast sites, massage studios, wineries, and other local attractions such as the famous Frank Lloyd Wright house.  The GAP trail reportedly generated $50 million in trail based revenue in 2017.  The area is ripe for many developments of this type from bed and breakfasts to Wi-Fi hot spots, coffee shops, equipment retailers, and a variety of lodging types that are finding homes in previous mining buildings and other derelict building sites.  

This may not be the cup of tea for many ex-coal miners; however, the Trail Towns Organization, the The Progress Fund and the GAP Trail Organizations are working in concert to bring about economic recovery to these depressed communities.  There is hope and there is progress to help champion a positive change in an area of the country where a dismal outlook and economic depression seemed to be the norm only a few years ago.  This might appear to be a transient or seasonal answer to a year round problem, however it is perhaps the tip of the iceberg with what might be possible if excitement and momentum prevails. For more information about this topic look to the GAP trail website or Trail Towns Organization for additional details and success stories about this growing movement.