Gov Bill Lee, pictured at podium, $4 million in state funds to be sent to three companies affected by 2024S Hurricane Helene. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Three East Tennessee companies devastated by Hurricane Helene in fall 2024 are set to receive an unprecedented million-dollar infusion each to help rehire workers and resume production.
Gov. Bill Lee and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter announced the Unicoi County factories will receive grants totaling more than $4 million to retain and retrain employees who lost jobs after the hurricane destroyed factories last September.
“Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster for our state, and one year later, many Tennesseans remain forever changed by the loss of life and severe flood damage,” Lee said in a statement.
All three companies are located along the Nolichucky River in Erwin Riverview Industrial Park and are either in the preliminary stages of resuming work or preparing to restart, according to the state.
The grants mark the first time the Economic and Community Development Department has provided funds after a natural disaster for companies to keep employees and retrain them, according to McWhorter.
Companies receiving the grants are:
Foam Products, a fabricator and distributor of foam insulation and packaging products, which is investing $4.4 million and retaining 47 employees. The company estimates $20 million in damages if it were to rebuild the entire facility.
PlastiExports, a Mexico-based plastics company, which is investing $7.4 million and keeping 53 employees. It sustained more than $14 million in damages and loss.
PolyPipe, which manufactures polyethylene pipe to deliver natural gas, is investing $27.1 million and retaining 66 employees. The storm completely destroyed its building.
“The devastation from Hurricane Helene was unlike anything we’ve faced in our company’s history,” said PolyPipe CEO Mark Brenon. “This grant is not just funding – it’s a lifeline for our employees, our customers and our future here in Erwin.”
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