THIS EDA ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ? ASSISTANCE TO COAL COMMUNITIES AWARD WILL HELP JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING REGION RECOVER FROM THE W.H. SAMMIS POWER PLANT CLOSURE THAT OCCURRED IN JULY 2023. AS A CRITICAL SOURCE OF JOBS IN THE REGION, THE PLANT?S CLOSURE PROMPTED LOCAL LEADERS TO INITIATE A STRATEGIC ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. EDA ASSISTANCE WILL HELP THE COUNTY AND ITS PORT AUTHORITY INVENTORY ASSETS, SUPPORT EXISTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, AND DEVELOP A BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION PLAN AS WELL AS A COAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN TO HELP UNDERSTAND HOW BEST TO RESPOND TO THIS ECONOMIC SHOCK TO THE REGION AND CHART A COURSE FORWARD.