State announces additional grant money to help laid off miners

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced Thursday WorkForce West Virginia has received an emergency federal grant for $5.6 million to help coal miners who have lost their jobs.

The governor said the money would help pay for the re-employment services and job training opportunities for 700 mine workers.

“Layoffs and mine closures are frustrating for our miners and their families – they depend on their jobs to keep food on the table and a roof overhead,” the governor said in a news release.

The announcement came a day after Patriot Coal issued a WARN Notice saying it would lay off at least 100 workers at two mining complexes in Boone County.

“This additional funding extends the grant through December 31, 2016 and will allow continued reemployment and retraining services to coal miners impacted by mass layoffs and mine closures,” said Russell L. Fry, acting executive director of WorkForce West Virginia.