[Big Five-0-]

Pikeville's economy is very diverse compared to the other major coal producing counties but the economy of Pike County as a whole is still very much tied into coal. Pikeville has established itself as a banking center for Eastern Kentucky but those banks along with many businesses in Pike County owe their existence to coal. Pikeville will be fine, but as the coal industry continues to decline Pike County will feel the effects, Gut was right about that.

Agree. No doubt about it. Pikeville, like many other communities in the mountains has, and still depend on the coal industry for their livelihood. However through diversification, the impact wouldn't be quiet as devastating, imo.