Friendship Manufacturer Adding 50 New Jobs
FRIENDSHIP, Tenn. – Advantage Manufacturing in Friendship received a big boost, Friday, after receiving a USDA loan. Company leaders were awarded a $1 million zero-interest Rural Economic Development loan. The loan will allow the company to grow its medical-grade plastics and blow molding operations. It will also allow the company to being a food-grade plastics operation. The new production line will require 50 additional employees. “We will create $1 million worth of payroll,” said Wanda Rea, President of Advantage Manufacturing. “When that money goes into the community, it should generate $5 million worth of community development each year.” The Rural Development loan was actually awarded to Gibson Electric, who in turn awarded it to Advantage Manufacturing. The goal of the zero-interest loans is to maintain and create new jobs in rural areas. Advantage Manufacturing was created in 1993 by a group of Tupperware employees who lost their jobs when their plant in Halls closed.
