The Economic Impact of Coal Mine Closures in Appalachian Ohio: Comparing Administrative Boundaries and Functional Economies

This study models the economic impact of 2019 coal mine closures in Appalachian Ohio, emphasizing best practices in regional economic analysis. Using multi-regional input-output (MRIO) modeling across three geographic scales, it demonstrates how defining “functional economies” improves accuracy while also addressing the practical demands of stakeholders who require analysis aligned with political and organizational boundaries. Results show total job losses between 422 and 452, with multipliers from 2.07 to 2.21. By presenting multiple models, the study exemplifies rigorous, context-sensitive modeling that supports data-driven decision-making in facilitating economic transitions.