Paper Plant

This industry was previously Champion Paper, but it was bought by employees when the original was closing. Now, it is Blue Ridge Paper, and you can see in the background it is in the Blue Ridge mountains. The rail cars in the foreground are filled with wood chips waiting to be used in the process of making paper. There were at least 50 such rail cars when I was there today. Years ago, when we moved to the area, we immediately noticed the odor from the paper manufacturing process. When we inquired, the locals said, "it smells like money to us." An appropriate remark since it was a very large employer in a small town. We now live about 5 hours from here, but I am at my son's house, and he lives about 20 minutes away.