Governor Glenn Youngkin and Congressman Morgan Griffith have announced that five projects in Southwest Virginia will receive funding through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. The AMLER initiative is a federally funded effort aimed at turning former coal mining sites into opportunities for economic growth and community improvement in the region.
“Southwest Virginia’s strength comes from its people and its ability to adapt,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By transforming lands impacted by mining into new opportunities, the AMLER program is helping to create jobs, attract visitors, and build infrastructure that ensures our coalfield communities contribute to and benefit from Virginia’s economic growth.”
“For years, AMLER has helped eliminate hazards and transform lands in our coalfield communities into engines of economic opportunity, making it one of the most effective programs serving Southwest Virginia,” said U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith. “I’m proud to have supported AMLER’s mission over the years, and this new round of projects reflects a continued commitment to strengthening our region’s economy and quality of life.”
The selected projects aim to repurpose land affected by past mining activity for new uses such as recreation, business development, housing, and improved infrastructure.
“The Youngkin administration is driving growth in every corner of Virginia, and AMLER is a powerful tool in that mission,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “Redeveloping former mine lands creates the conditions for long-term investment, stronger infrastructure, and a more resilient economy for the entire Commonwealth.”
“AMLER brings together public and private partners to develop on or near legacy mining sites into engines for growth and safety,” said Virginia Energy Director Glenn Davis. “It’s a model of how collaboration can turn our mining heritage into long-term opportunity.”
“Strong communities need strong foundations. AMLER is revitalizing our parks, trails, and gathering spaces — investments that make daily life better for families across Southwest Virginia,” said Senator Todd Pillion.
“Coal once fueled the growth of our towns, but it also left behind land without a clear future,” said Senator Travis Hackworth. “AMLER is changing that story. By turning those sites into new destinations for recreation, business, and housing, we’re proving that stewardship of the land can also drive prosperity.”
“If we want Southwest Virginia to compete, we must have modern infrastructure and the services that employers look for,” said Delegate Terry Kilgore. “AMLER is helping us deliver both, giving our workforce and our communities the foundation to succeed.”
“What excites me about AMLER is that these aren’t short-term fixes — they’re long-term investments,” said Delegate Will Morefield. “Years from now, families will still be hiking these trails, businesses will still be operating in these centers, and communities will still be benefiting from projects that started with this program.”
The AMLER program in Virginia operates under the administration of the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) with funding provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury through direct payments to the state. Since 2017 when Virginia began receiving these funds specifically for redevelopment efforts in counties with abandoned mine land sites—areas where mining occurred before 1977—a total of 50 projects have been recommended across Appalachian coalfield counties. Oversight comes from both state authorities at Virginia Energy as well as federal oversight by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). Only six states along with three tribes are eligible nationwide each year for this specific source of funding.
