Published: April 23, 2026 |

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At the Farmer’s Market Pavilion on Wednesday, April 15, local officials joined members of the Hazard-Perry County Tourism Board and community residents to dedicate the Coal Miner Memorial, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring miners who lost their lives and recognizing coal’s lasting impact on the region’s identity.

Terry Feltner, director of Hazard-Perry County Tourism, reflected on the significance of the project and the effort behind bringing it to completion.

“We are so glad to have this come to fruition. It’s been a long time that we have been working on this and we’re glad to be able to do this. A lot of people don’t like coal, and don’t like to talk about it, but without these men, without these coal miners, we wouldn’t still have a community today. Our foundation is based on coal. We have family members here who have lost loved ones in the mines, working so we could have a foundation here,” said Feltner.

Hazard Mayor Donald “Happy” Mobelini praised the tourism board for its dedication to the project and emphasized the memorial’s visual and cultural impact.

“We really appreciate the tourism board. So much work has been put into this thing. It’s not cheap to put a monument up, and this is probably one of the prettiest ones in Eastern Kentucky. If you haven’t driven by here at night, you need to come by and see it at night. It is a perfect monument for these men who lost their life, we appreciate all the hard work and dedication. It’s who we are, just like our festival, that’s what it’s named after, the Black Gold Festival,” said Mobelini.

Perry County Judge-Executive Scott Alexander also spoke on behalf of the Perry County Fiscal Court, highlighting the broader historical and national significance of coal mining in Appalachia.

“On behalf of the Perry County Fiscal Court and the magistrates, this is a great monument to honor the coal miners. About every family in Eastern Kentucky has someone who has worked in the mining industry to help get us where we are today. This nation would not be where it’s at today with out the coal that has been mined out of Appalachia. It’s helped America become the most powerful nation on planet earth, right here out of the mines of Eastern Kentucky. It’s another great day and a great monument and a reminder of the past for the future,” said Alexander.

Source: Hazard Herald

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