State Sen. Dave Argall, R-29, hosted Andreas Audretsch, a member of the German Bundestag, in Schuylkill and Carbon counties Thursday for a tour of the area and a discussion on how local leaders have worked to breathe new life into older towns as the coal industry has changed over the years.

“I was pleased to show Herr Audretsch and his staff around the area,” said Argall. “They were very impressed with the inspiring work of the people of Jim Thorpe to transform their community into a widely known destination for visitors.”

The group began their day at Hope & Coffee in Tamaqua, before visiting an active mine site operated by Lehigh Anthracite. They then traveled to Jim Thorpe, where they were given a walking tour. Their final stop was to meet with local union leaders, including:

• Tom Conner, business representative at SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 44;

• Tip Wright, business manager at Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers Local 38’

• Brian Egrie, business/membership development representatives at IBEW Local 163;

• Daniel Clarkson, Carpenters & Joiners Local 445.

Audretsch is a member of Alliance 90/The Greens, one of the six major parties in German politics. He’s served in the Bundestag since 2021 and is a resident of Berlin.