Grant to offset mining downturn impacts

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., has announced a $40,000 grant to the Great Basin Development Association and White Pine County to help communities hurt by the downturn in the mining industry.

"The people of Northern Nevada are facing serious economic challenges as a result of the closure of area mines," he told the congressional mining caucus.

The mining industry's problems have resulted in the loss of some 1,500 jobs in Northern Nevada counties over the past two years. A number of mines have closed and others reduced the size of their operations in part because of the drop in the price of gold.

The grant money will help White Pine, Eureka, Lander and Humboldt counties in efforts to diversify their economies and develop an industrial sector independent of mining.