April 28, 2026 - Coal mining is more than an industry in rural West Virginia, it’s a way of life that has shaped families and communities for generations. Since the earliest mines opened in the 1810s, the work and the technology behind them have changed dramatically. Over two centuries later, the one thing that has remained constant is the deep pride miners take in their work and the enduring sense of identity that comes with this tradition.

At Eagle Summit East LLC, in Ashford, West Virginia, miners like Gus Chryssofos, who has been with the company for a decade, understand how critical having safe and reliable equipment is to their jobs. Eagle Summit East recently received a $25 million Business & Industry Loan Guarantee through U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and lender Stone Bank to upgrade key equipment at the mine where Gus and his fellow miners work. This important program makes it possible for lenders to extend credit to rural businesses that otherwise might have a difficult time securing financing.  

Gus Chryssofos, Miner, Eagle Summit 

“Eagle Summit is bringing in new equipment in so that we can produce and make coal for the nation and keep lights on for everybody, not just for our community, but for communities across the United States,” said Gus.

The new equipment includes a Highwall miner, new trucks, a grader, an excavator, and other upgrades that will strengthen both safety and productivity at the mine. 

The Trump Administration recently announced that it is placing emphasis on reinvigorating the coal industry as a reliable source of domestic energy. 

“The President promised energy dominance, and this is what project like these are fulfilling. Projects like this one have a ripple effect, lowering the cost of energy across the United States,” said USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business & Cooperative Services Administrator J.R. Claeys.

That “ripple effect” is felt in communities surrounding the mines. While the investment at Eagle Summit East is expected to support 75 mining jobs, its impact reaches far beyond the mine itself, benefiting local businesses such as gas stations, grocery stores, equipment suppliers, and more. 

Coal rolls off of a conveyor belt at Eagle Summit  

A recent report, titled The Economic Impact of Coal and Coal-Fired Power Generation in West Virginia, found that coal mining and coal-fired electric generation together produced approximately $21 billion in total economic activity in 2024, supported 36,249 jobs, and generated $3.1 billion in employee compensation across the Mountain State.

The Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program offers lenders loan guarantees so they can support businesses located in rural areas. This partnership helps to improve the economic health of rural communities by strengthening businesses and creating jobs.