TNECD Announces Industry Recovery Grantees Following Hurricane Helene
January 8, 2026
- TNECD to offer retraining and retainment grants following damage from Hurricane Helene
- Two companies in Cocke County to receive funding
NEWPORT, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today the two companies in Cocke County that will each receive a retainment and retraining grant following the devastation and destruction of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
In total, the grants represent more than $4.5 million in funding, with each company receiving at least $2 million that will directly aid in retaining or retraining employees who were previously terminated due to destruction of the company’s facilities.
“Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster for our state, and as communities in East Tennessee continue to rebuild, I’m grateful to announce funding that will further support those efforts,” said Gov. Lee. “These grants will bring much-needed relief to Cocke County in the days and months to come, and I thank all who made today’s announcement possible.”
The affected companies receiving funding are located along the Pigeon River in Newport, Tennessee, and have either not yet restarted their operations or are in the preliminary stages of operating.
“We are proud to stand beside our partners in East Tennessee as they rebuild following Hurricane Helene’s destruction and devastation,” said Deputy Governor and Commissioner McWhorter. “The resilience shown by these communities over the past year has been truly inspiring, and we remain firmly committed to supporting their continued progress.”
The two companies receiving grant funding are:
Eastern Plating
- of retained positions: 141
- Capital investment: $3.3 million
Eastern Plating is a leading electroplating manufacturer and has been operating in Newport since its inception in 1983. The company estimates that Hurricane Helene caused approximately $10 million in damages if a total rebuild is needed.
“The day after the flood, with no power and no water, our most valued employees and our management team started working to rebuild Eastern Plating. Since the flood came through Cocke County and our facility, we have put forth great effort to bring back all our previous business and the jobs that go along with it. Over the past 15 months, we have managed to rebuild 14 of our 25 plating lines, bring back over half of our business and nearly half of our workers. Our returning customers have realized the value we provide and are happy to see us succeed. We are continuing to work hard as we move forward to gain new business and grow back to the level we were at prior to the flood and possibly even higher.” – Wayne Wheeler, CFO and VP, Eastern Plating
American Appliance
- of retained positions: 160
- Capital investment: $15.7 million
American Appliance, a subsidiary of SSW Advanced Technologies, manufactures oven racks and components for heating and air conditioning systems.
“You really are only as good as who works with you. As bad and as tough as this has been, we survived together and will someday tell our children and grandchildren stories how, without warning, flood waters, six feet deep, washed through our plant and how we walked through mud over our ankles and water to our pockets to save our jobs and get back to work.” – Marcos Calzadilla, HVAC engineering manager, SSW Advanced Technologies.
The retraining and retainment grants were first announced last year and are the first of their kind for TNECD.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
“Since day one, job creation and retention for the citizens of Cocke County have been a top priority of my administration. Even when faced with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, we did not back down from that commitment. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development did not back down, either. This $4.5 million investment and the announcement of over 300 jobs send a clear message that our community is rebuilding, growing, and moving forward together, stronger than ever. I am incredibly proud of the people of Cocke County and the resilience they have shown, and we are so grateful for the continued support of the State of Tennessee and Gov. Lee’s administration.” – Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis
“As Mayor and a native of Newport and Cocke County, I firmly believe that the strength of our community lies not only in attracting new businesses but in retaining and supporting the ones that have already chosen to call our city home. Hurricane Helene devastated many local businesses, and it has been a testament to the resilience and commitment of these local companies that they have chosen to rebuild and remain a part of the community. Our local businesses – large and small – serve as the backbone of our economy and, together, we can build a resilient economy and continue the momentum that will be mutually beneficent for everyone in our community.” – Newport Mayor Roland Dykes III
“A little over a year after Hurricane Helene, these investments show our community’s resilience and determination to move forward. By retaining more than 300 jobs total, Eastern Plating and American Appliance are helping strengthen our recovery and support local families. This continued commitment will have a lasting impact on our local economy.” – Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown)
“Our state will never forget the lives lost and the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene. This significant grant funding will empower hundreds of families in our community by helping provide job security and stability. Cocke County and all affected areas of East Tennessee will rebuild stronger than before thanks to vital support from across the Volunteer State.” – Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby)
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)
TNECD is the state’s primary agency committed to fostering economic growth through job creation and community development. By attracting new corporate investment and facilitating the growth of existing businesses, the department works to strengthen Tennessee’s competitive landscape. Additionally, TNECD strives to increase the economic prosperity for all Tennesseans by providing grants to communities statewide, helping them to become vibrant, business-friendly environments where companies can flourish. For more information, visit us at tnecd.com. Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.