For those looking to experience another side of the Old South, a Clarksdale, Mississippi, enterprise offers tourist lodging in historic sharecropper shacks. Though a hit with the literary set, not everyone is charmed by the idea.

Declining coal production is hurting Appalachia’s economy, which was already in rough shape. Scholars are looking at Wales, which lost its coal economy in the 1980’s, for lessons on how Appalachia might address its economic future.

Does it take a raft of ordinances and outside support to save historic structures from demolition in a small town? Not necessarily, when the building stock is beautiful.

Pro-coal/anti-coal forces need to combine their efforts and foster entrepreneurship, a long-term strategy for a healthier, more diversified economy.