FRIEDENS, PA (WJAC/CNN) - Thursday marked the grand opening of a new coal mine in Somerset County, PA.
The Acosta Mine is expected to employ as many as 100 people. Gov. Tom Wolf and local leaders toured the mine during a ribbon cutting. A surprise video message from President Donald Trump was played. The president called the opening part of a resurgence of the coal industry.
"It really marks a new chapter, like President Trump said, it's really reversal of the downward trend, and now we're on the growth swing. So it's a great feeling for us and we're thrilled,” said George G. Dethlefsen, CEO of Corsa Coal.
But not everyone is happy about the new mine. Protesters in the area could be heard chanting "stop the Acosta Mine" before the governor spoke.
The mine had been in the works since 2013. It was partly funded by a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant.
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