BECKLEY -- The West Virginia Coal Association, which represents companies that employ tens of thousands of state residents and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to our economy, endorsed Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin in the May 14 Democratic Primary.
Gary White, chairman of the association that represents 90 percent of the coal producers in West Virginia, said selecting Tomblin was an easy decision.
“Gov. Tomblin is a son of the coalfields. He knows coal and West Virginia’s 63,000 coal mining families are in a very real sense his family,” White said. “He knows how important it is to have a job, to pay your bills and provide for your children. He has always stood with us … not just as a ‘friend’ of coal but as one of us.
“This endorsement is an easy one for our association. Gov. Tomblin is a proven leader. In these tough times, West Virginia needs a governor we can all believe in. West Virginia needs Earl Ray Tomblin.”
Members of the West Virginia Coal Association joined with miners and company officials in making the announcement Thursday at the Affinity mine outside Beckley. When at full production later this year, the United Coal Co. mine will represent an investment of $115 million and produce 1.4 million tons of coal a year. It will employ 228 people and generate $11 million annually in severance tax.
“United Coal’s Affinity Mine is a shining example of what’s right with West Virginia’s economy and a symbol of the success we’ve had making our state a good place to do business,” Tomblin said. “We’re adding jobs around West Virginia, including last week’s groundbreaking for Macy’s in Martinsburg, where 2,000 good-paying jobs will be added at the company’s distribution center, to expansion announcements for Alcon in Huntington and Orrick in Wheeling.
“I pledge to you that as your governor, I will have two priorities: to bring more jobs and lower taxes to our great state of West Virginia.”
Tomblin also reiterated his support for West Virginia’s miners and their families. Tomblin pushed for landmark mine safety legislation five years ago as the leader of the West Virginia Senate, and just recently the state unveiled its $750,000 emergency response vehicle to help when disasters do occur.
Mine recuse teams will be able to take advantage of a GPS system to map mines, as well as state-of-the-art communications and weather monitoring systems.
“West Virginia miners are the backbone of our state and our country,” Tomblin said. “I’m proud to have the support of the association that contributes so much to our economy and quality of life.”
White said he appreciates Tomblin’s work to do the same for all West Virginians.
“Today, as our neighboring states and much of the country struggle with multi-billion dollar deficits, West Virginia is paying its bills and stands as an example of well-managed government,” White said. “Earl Ray knows more about the state’s finances than anyone in the State and is poised to do everything necessary to ensure that West Virginia continues to be one of the five states with a budget surplus. He’s brought us stability and confidence over the years.”