Over a 20-year period, Helper saw its coal industry decline from 30 mines to just 3. The town’s resulting depression led to de-population and increasing poverty, putting a strain on resources and capacity. 522 Productions worked with our partners at AIA Center for Communities by Design to tell the story of how this coal-mining town came together to restore its downtown and revitalize its economy. From sitting down with residents in their homes, to filming done footage in an abandoned mining camp, and poring over archival footage, we used every tool available to us to make sure the story of Helper came to life.