See http://www.2tough2die.com for sign-up and schedule info.


LEADVILLE - With its reputation as one of the richest and long-lived mining boomtowns in history, Leadville is a logical setting for mining communities to come together and learn from each other about how to survive the boom-and-bust economies typical of mining towns.

That's exactly what will happen Sept. 24-27 at the second annual National Summit of Mining Communities. The Summit, which began in 2006 as a grassroots gathering of people from mining towns with the emphasis on "communities talking to communities," was created with the recognition that many mining communities experience the economic pitfalls associated with the boom-and-bust cycles of mining.

"Last year, we had a tremendous response, with participation from communities throughout the Western U.S., as well as from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia," said Bud Elliott, mayor of Leadville and one of the event's organizers. "Based on feedback from last year's participants, we've lengthened the sessions, made them more discussion- friendly, and increased the number of sessions that focus on the 'how-to's' of community success stories."

This year's summit will focus on sharing experiences in order to help communities avert or reduce the severe economic cycles associated with changes in company presence. Ultimately, the summit will benefit communities around the country by showing them how to adjust their priorities to increase the probability of higher paying jobs, tax revenue, private sector investment, and most importantly, economic sustainability.

"The discussions are not only about current issues and challenges, but also about past success stories that arose from adversity," said event coordinator Karen Horsch

The conference format is a series of presenters and panels from mining communities who will talk about how they have dealt with such issues as environmental remediation, preservation of mining heritage, economic impacts, recreational tourism and regulatory impacts. During the sessions there will be time for comments and questions.