Governor Pledges Support to Campbell County Mine Employees

The Governor of Wyoming says the state will do what it can to support the coal mine workers who found themselves suddenly out of work last Tuesday morning. Wendy Corr interviewed the Governor on Thursday.

Governor Mark Gordon was in Cody Thursday for the Stampede celebration on the 4^th of July, riding horseback in the parade that morning with his wife, Jennie, and attending the rodeo in the evening. But in between those two events, Gordon flew to and from Gillette, where the community has been hit hard by the shutdown of two coal mines – resulting in the immediate layoff of over 600 people.

Gordon, who is a rancher in Johnson County, says that it was important for he and his wife to attend the 4^th of July celebration in Gillette as well as in Cody to show support for their neighbors in Campbell County.

Blackjewel LLC, one of the nation’s largest coal producers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. News outlets reported the company cited at least $500 million owed in liabilities.

Blackjewel CEO Jeff Hoops says he’s confident the company will bounce back despite the shutdown of its mines in Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.