For the first part of the 20th century – many residents of central Appalachia lived in “company towns” where coal companies ruled – and state and federal governments simply turned a blind eye. The residents worked for the coal mines – lived in company houses – and were paid in company scrip that was useless outside the town. Amazingly – in the 21st century – there are still towns where a single company employs most of the town and poisons everyone in the surrounding area. For more on the story of Crossett Arkansas – and one man’s nearly four year fight to save the town from Koch Industries – Thom Hartmann is joined by Natalie Kottke-Masocco – Co-director of the new film “Company Town” which is premiering tonight at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
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