Miners unemployed as a result of the Blackjewel bankruptcy may have a chance to go back to work by the beginning of September, according to Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley, who said Tuesday during a fiscal court meeting that a company is hosting a special job fair for miners on Aug. 1 in the Harlan County Courthouse.

Mosley said although he can’t release all the details about the company, he wants people to know that the job fair is available to them.

“They’re looking for people willing to work two to two and a half hours away from Harlan,” Mosley said. “We’re very excited to get people back to work with a competitive benefits package. It’s a stable job, lasting for around four years, and a company who’s known worldwide.”

Mosley said workers will be working four days a week and the company will cover hotel and food costs. Mosley noted that the company is only hiring a set amount of people and it is important to come to the job fair and apply.

“It’s a really good opportunity for miners wanting to go back to work,” Mosley said.

The job fair will be Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the courthouse. More details about the job fair and the company will be released at a later date.

Mosley also announced the next bankruptcy hearing will be July 31 since Blackjewel could not obtain enough financing to finish paying their debts.

In other court news:

• The court reflected on the solid waste meeting held Tuesday at 9 a.m. and approved the minutes from the meeting;

• Minutes from the June 18 regular meeting were approved;

• The court heard individuals/delegations, including customer issues with Crystal Broadband and absentee landowner issues with property overgrowth;

• The court heard an update from Erica Farmer-Miller on the new Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College PACE Program designed to place people in recovery;

• The court reviewed and accepted a concrete bid from Mountain Construction;

• The court accepted a quit-claim deed from Marylyn Kirking for Bardo Hollow Road Spur 1 (clean up title only), authorizing the judge-executive to sign any and all documents;

• The court approved the treasurers’ monthly financial report, noting the quarterly and annual reports would be finished at a later date;

• The court approved a resolution adopting and approving the execution of a Rural Secondary Program Agreement between the Harlan County Fiscal Court and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Engle Bridge Road, CR #1212, authorizing the judge-executive to sign any and all documents;

• The court approved an agreement between Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Rural and Municipal Aid and Harlan County for Engle Bridge Road, CR #1212, amounting $80,000 (CB01 Bridge Funds), authorizing the judge-executive to sign any and all documents;

• The court approved a right of entry for multiple parcels with the Department of the Army for the Loyall Flow-Through Ponding Area Project Flood Risk Management, Section 202 Project, authorizing the judge-executive to sign any and all documents;

• The court approved a contract for FEMA DR 4428 Public Assistance Grant, authorizing the judge-executive to sign any and all documents, retroactive to June 21;

• The court approved a resolution for coal severance projects requested under HB #200 in the amount of $1,158,000 as per the attached listing, authorizing the judge-executive to sign any and all documents;

• The court approved the sheriff’s department second quarterly report, subject to audit, authorizing the judge-executive to sign any and all documents;

• The court heard an update on RFP for an independent kayak business at Cranks Creek Lake;

• The court made a motion to advertise for bids on a John Deere skid steer loader;

• The court made a motion to advertise for bids on gravel (gravel price only, gravel delivery only and gravel plus delivery);

• The court made a motion to reappoint Rock Fox and Danny Smallwood to the Harlan County Industrial Development Authority Board, retroactive to June 15 for a four-year term;

• The court made a motion to reappoint Linette Hutchison, Harlan fire chief, to the Harlan County E-911 Board, retroactive to May 14 for a two-year term;

• The court reflected on Jim Vicini’s resignation from the Sleepy Hollow Golf Course board, effective July 9;

• The court created a local working group to address the youth homelessness issue. The project members include Gina Stewart, Cathy York, David McGill, Donna Pace, Michelle Helton and Cecilia Adams;

• The board reviewed various reports, including reports from the treasurer, animal control, roads/bridges, recycling/solid waste, PRIDE, inmate work program and solid waste enforcement/flood plain. All reports were accepted.