Factors Influencing an Area'S Ability to Absorb a Large-Scale Commercial Coal-Processing Complex. A Case Study of the Fort Union Lignite Region. Final Report,September 1973--June 1975.

摘要

The introduction of a hypothetical large-scale,multiple-product coal-processing complex promises to have a major impact on a rural Western community,if located in a representative area in the Fort Union coal region. Each complex is seen as employing 3,000workers and requiring a capital investment of $2.5billion. Likely scenarios for development show a doubling or tripling of population in affected areas by 1990,and major increases in personal income. In analogous instances where large-scale developments have been superimposed on rural communities the impacts have included housing shortages,inadequate retail and professional services,and an inability on the part of local governments to finance needed capital outlays and operating expenditures. This has led to resident dissatisfaction and alienation,unsatisfactory living conditions,high-employee-turnover rates,and low labor productivity. With careful growth management,most of these negative impacts appear to be avoidable. This will mean strengthening existing institutions,affecting resource use and conservation,developing the local labor force,and accommodating and retaining the local population. External financial assistance will be necessary during the early years of the development period.