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GREENE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, US NITROGEN, CONTRACTORS COMPLETE HOME IN TIME FOR HOLIDAYS

December 19, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 19, 2014

For more information,
Contact: Amanda Shell Jennings
Moxley Carmichael
(865)255-0661

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Elected officials, the Greene County Habitat for Humanity board, US Nitrogen and its contractors cut the ribbon on a new home for Billy Bledsoe on Dec. 19.

Elected officials, the Greene County Habitat for Humanity board, US Nitrogen and its contractors cut the ribbon on a new home for Billy Bledsoe on Dec. 19. From left to right are Greeneville City Alderman Buddy Hawk; Greeneville City Alderman Brian Bragden; Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels; C&C Millwright Human Resources Officer Darius Peedin; Greene County Habitat for Humanity Board President Robin Brown; recipient Billy Bledsoe; Greene County Executive Director Vicki Culbertson; Greene County Habitat for Humanity Board Member Sam Riley; US Nitrogen Construction Manager Victor Smith; Matt Kaney of TEC Industrial; and Tyler Walker of Renfrow Brothers.

Just in time for the holidays, US Nitrogen and its contractors are delivering a life-changing gift to a Greeneville man who lost his home and possessions in a fire earlier this year.

Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels and elected officials joined Greene County Habitat for Humanity, US Nitrogen and its contractors to cut the ribbon and turn over the keys for a new house to Billy Bledsoe at a ceremony Friday at 328 Pine Street in Greeneville.

“When we started this project in late October, we told Billy that we would have his new home ready by Christmas,” US Nitrogen Construction Manager Victor Smith said. “Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the contractors working on the US Nitrogen project, we have achieved that goal, and his new home is ready for move-in.”

Greene County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Vicki Culbertson said this project was the most ambitious undertaken to date for the organization and thanked the crews for their dedication and hard work.

“This is a tremendous day for Greene County Habitat for Humanity,” Culbertson said. “What usually takes four to eight months, the US Nitrogen team, its contractors and volunteers have completed in a month and a half. What a tremendous gift for Billy just in time for Christmas.”

On Oct. 29, Greene County Habitat for Humanity, the US Nitrogen Construction Team and its contractors held a ground-breaking ceremony. US Nitrogen and the contractors provided all labor and materials for the build and set an aggressive timeline. The combined donation is valued at approximately $50,000.

A serious motorcycle 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 house includes two bedrooms, handicap-accessible bathroom, laundry room, living room and kitchen.

“I don’t have words to express how blessed I am today,” Bledsoe said. “I will be forever grateful to Greene County Habitat for Humanity, US Nitrogen, its contractors and this community. This is the best gift ever for Christmas.”

Sponsors of the 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., G&W Hauling/BoomCO, TEG Lease and US Nitrogen.

Bledsoe’s home is one of 30 Habitat for Humanity Homes being constructed across the state 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 additional families in Greeneville and Greene County.

US Nitrogen is a platinum partner with Greene County Habitat for Humanity. US Nitrogen also has donated construction materials from the demolition of three houses to Habitat for Humanity. These materials are sold in the organization’s 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.