Kentucky Coal Miners Receive $5 Million Grant

Struggling out-of-work Kentucky coal miners will receive a $5.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, said the agency.

The purpose of the grant will be to help laid off coal workers to train and prepare for alternative jobs unrelated to the industry. Another purpose is to help spouses of the miners who are looking to enter the work force again or for the first time.

Some of the targeted potential jobs would be in the health, construction and business services industry.

Receiving the grant was the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program.

Coal mine production in eastern Kentucky has fallen 3 percent between 2010 and 2011, according to the US Energy Information Administration.