October 29, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 29, 2014
For more information,
Contact: Amanda Shell Jennings
Moxley Carmichael
(865)255-0661
When Greene County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Vicki Culbertson approached US Nitrogen Construction Manager Victor Smith about donating some construction materials from the company’s worksite, she had no idea that conversation would jump-start the housing organization’s most ambitious project to date.
Two weeks later, Smith had arranged for contractors working on the US Nitrogen project to provide all labor and materials for the build, representing a combined donation of approximately $50,000.
“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of the US Nitrogen Construction Team and its contractors,” Culbertson said. “The scale of this project feels like Greene County’s ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.’ Having these expert contractors donate their time and resources to this project is invaluable to us and to Mr. Billy Bledsoe, who will be receiving a new home just in time for the holidays.”
On Wednesday, Greene County Habitat for Humanity, the US Nitrogen Construction Team and its contractors held a ground-breaking ceremony. Town of Greeneville and Greene County elected officials and community leaders helped kick off the project. The new home will be located at 328 Pine St., in Greeneville.
Town of Greeneville and Greene County elected officials attended a groundbreaking for a Habitat for Humanity home being constructed with labor and resources donated by US Nitrogen and its contractors. From left are state Sen. David Hawk; Town of Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels; Industrial Piping Inc. Project Manager Ron Jacobs; Greene County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Vicki Culbertson; US Nitrogen Plant Manager Justin Freeark; Safe Harbour Real Estate Broker Jeff Irvine; recipient Billy Bledsoe; US Nitrogen Assistant Project Manager Lori Jones; US Nitrogen Construction Manager Victor Smith; C&C Millwright Human Resources Officer Darius Peedin; Summers-Taylor Vice President of Concrete John Loven; TEC Industrial Maintenance & Construction Director of Operations Frank Merrill; Renfrow Brothers Industrial Contractors Construction Assistant John Renfrow; Aaron Wurdemann of Mico Industrial Services; Greene County Commissioner Hilton Seay; and Town of Greeneville Alderman Buddy Hawk.
Culbertson said the number of skilled contractors working on the project and the project time frame is unprecedented for Greene County Habitat for Humanity. What would usually take five to eight months is expected to be completed in approximately two months.
“Volunteering and giving back is very important to me and to the US Nitrogen Construction Team,” Smith said. “When I heard about this need, I knew that our team could do it, and they could do it in record time. Our contractors quickly got on board, and the necessary resources were offered, from shingles and paint to a water heater and guttering. We’ve got it all covered.”
A serious accident several years ago left Bledsoe with disabilities that make it hard for him to move around freely. Until recently, he lived alone with his dog, Bandit. When his home was destroyed by fire, Bledsoe and Bandit had nowhere to reside. Bledsoe’s new one-story home will include two bedrooms, handicap-accessible bathroom, laundry room, living room and kitchen.
“After my home burned, it was just me and Bandit,” said Bledsoe. “I lost everything. When I found out US Nitrogen and a team of contractors were going to help me by building my house, I was so excited and proud to know there are still people that care and help others.”
Sponsors of this project include Air Pro Heating and Cooling, Inc., Appalachian Surveying Consultants, C&C Millwright Maintenance Co., Eastern Industrial Supplies, Inc., Greeneville Builders Supply, Mico Industrial Services, Renfrow Brothers Industrial Contractors, RTF Systems, Summers-Taylor Inc., TEC Industrial Maintenance & Construction, United Rentals Inc. and US Nitrogen.
The contractors are providing the skilled labor to build the home and all of the needed construction materials, including roofing, siding, drywall, paint, flooring, guttering, HVAC, trim, light fixtures and more. All of the materials will be new.
Bledsoe’s home is one of 30 Habitat for Humanity Homes being constructed across the state of Tennessee with a matching funds grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). The US Nitrogen Construction Team and its contractors’ in-kind donation will allow Greene County Habitat for Humanity to receive a $15,000 grant in matching funds to serve more families in Greeneville and Greene County.
US Nitrogen is a platinum partner with Greene County Habitat for Humanity. In addition to the current project, US Nitrogen has donated the construction materials from the demolition of three houses to Habitat for Humanity. These construction materials are sold in the Habitat for Humanity thrift store, “ReStore,” to raise funds for its programs.
About Greene County Habitat for Humanity
A Christian housing ministry, Greene County Habitat for Humanity, along with other Habitat affiliates across the United States, helps bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Greene County Habitat for Humanity provides houses to families that do not usually qualify for conventional home loans. The houses carry an interest-free, 20-year mortgage. Families accepted into the program have demonstrated a need for housing, such as living in overcrowded conditions, unsafe neighborhoods or substandard housing with utilities often costing more than rent or having disabilities with the need for handicap accessibility. Within the six- to eight-month process, residents complete training on homeownership, including budgeting, and complete 500 sweat equity hours before closing on the house. Greene County Habitat for Humanity has provided homes to 30 families in our community.
About US Nitrogen
Located in Greene County, Tenn. US Nitrogen is a state-of-the-art facility that will produce ammonium nitrate for industrial purposes. US Nitrogen’s state-of-the-art facility represents a more than $200 million investment in the Greene County community – the largest capital investment in Greene County history. The company will provide more than 80 technical, high-paying jobs to the region. US Nitrogen LLC is a subsidiary of Cleveland, Ohio-based Austin Powder Company, a global leader in industrial explosives used in mining operations around the world.
