Historic coal towns are fighting to survive. Could three of them merge into one?
Benham -- Three small cities in Eastern Kentucky are feeling their way toward a possible historic merger as they try to cope with aging infrastructure, scant tax bases and revenue lost because of the sharp downturn in the coal industry.
In the process, the merger study for Cumberland, Benham and Lynch could provide ideas for other cities and counties struggling with similar issues in the state's eastern coalfield.
The study will examine the potential for the three towns in Harlan County to save money by sharing services, equipment and administration, which could apply to other places as well.
The likelihood of the towns merging is not clear. The study will not be done until early next year; city councils in the three cities will decide after that whether to put the question of merging on the ballot for a vote by residents.
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