National Coal Heritage Area Commission

The National Coal Heritage Area Authority is a U.S. State Government entity registered in SAM.gov that focuses on preserving and interpreting the cultural and historical legacy of the Appalachian coal mining region. Located in Oak Hill, West Virginia, the organization works primarily through cooperative agreements with the National Park Service's Heritage Partnership Program to support conservation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement initiatives in the National Coal Heritage Area. The organization serves as a critical management entity for promoting and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources associated with the region's coal mining heritage.

Through federal grant awards, the National Coal Heritage Area Authority provides a comprehensive range of services centered on heritage preservation and community development. Its primary activities include operating the Coal Heritage Interpretive Center, establishing the Coal Heritage Discovery Center, providing grants to community groups for sustainable heritage projects, and organizing the annual Appalachian Heritage Days Festival. The organization receives cooperative agreements from the National Park Service's Northeast Region, typically ranging from $1,000,000 to support projects that focus on rehabilitating historic buildings, developing educational programs about coal mining history, and promoting heritage tourism. Key performance goals involve collaborating with partners like the Central Appalachian Empowerment Zone and the City of Mount Hope to implement preservation and conservation initiatives, with beneficiaries including local communities, partner organizations, and the general public interested in understanding the region's cultural and industrial history.