Coal company closures reduce 300 jobs... Pikeville pushes to attract data centers

Pike County, Kentucky, lost 300 jobs earlier this year after a coal company closure, prompting the city of Pikeville to pursue a data center to rebuild its shrinking tax base. NPR reported that Pikeville has discussed the project with a developer without presenting details to residents or offering property tax abatements, and city manager Reggie Hickman said an agreement could be reached soon with potential long-term electricity cost reductions. The push matters because data center projects elsewhere in the U.S. have stalled amid local opposition, and Kentucky Power customers have seen demand fall as mines and steel mills close. What to watch next is whether Pikeville discloses terms and secures community support before signing a deal.