Given that coal mining is never coming back to even a fraction of the scale it was when this county had 100,000 residents, I am genuinely curious as to what types of good jobs can be created in places like this. Places that are geographically remote, with limited flat land, limited other natural resources, poor infrastructure, etc.? These communities were literally designed around one natural resource industry that is gone forever.

What are some ideas that could improve job prospects? Cutting off welfare isn't an answer if the opportunities don't even exist.