Currahee Welding Announces new Operation, "Currahee Waste Products"

At a ceremony yesterday, Currahee Welding announced the development of a new operation, Currahee Waste Products, which will manufacture residential rear loaders. Company owner Rusty Harrison said that the completion of the demonstration body of the waste hauling equipment marks the start of the operation, which Robert Williams, sales and marketing leader, will be promoting. Currahee Waste Products is to run out of the same location as Currahee Welding, located in Northeast Georgia midway between Atlanta and Greenville, SC near Interstate 85 in Eastanollee. Currahee Welding has been in business for over twenty years. Harrison anticipates that the new operation will include 10-12 new employees initially.

Rusty Harrison, Owner: “This is going to be a big venture and it will be tough at first because we will be competing against large companies. But I believe we can get into the market and sell our product.”

Senator Jim Butterworth: “We know how much of a time and investment challenge this project is in this day and age…when the unemployment rate is the highest in probably our lifetime. Even given our situation in the U.S. economy, we still need to realize that we are in a much better position than many other economies in the world, and it’s because people like Rusty are taking the challenges that he is taking, and we appreciate his effort.”

Representative Michael Harden: “In a time when I find myself congratulating people for keeping their doors open and for not folding, it is so refreshing in this economy to be able to see someone who is not only keeping their doors open but also moving forward. Rusty has recognized a niche in this market, he has diversified and he is going to move not only his family and business forward, but this entire county.”

Jonesy Haygood, Stephens County Commissioner: “On behalf of the County Commissioners we commend you for what you have undertaken. You have undertaken a project that very few people would have the guts to do, and you followed through from step one to the very end. This will be a tremendous asset to the county. Thanks for choosing us to be a part of your endeavor.”

Billy Morse, Toccoa City Manager: “On behalf of the city of Toccoa I want to thank you and congratulate you for what you’re doing. You have been a vital asset to the Public Works Department for many years with your welding services, which keep us up and running. Congratulations to you; we will work with you in any way we can to help you.”

Tim Ash, Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce: “The Chamber is here to support local businesses. We always love to acknowledge the expansion and growth of someone who has already demonstrated success in local business. We thank you for your investment in Stephens County and your guts in going forth with something new in this economy. That’s what will bring us out of where we are, and we appreciate that greatly.”

Cam Parker, Stephens County Development Authority: “The Development Authority’s job is to create more jobs, but to do so more than anything, we depend upon people like you. You said in the beginning of this venture that you would be battling huge companies as competitors. R.G. LeTourneau was in the exact same position as you a hundred years ago in California, and he succeeded. He came to Toccoa and helped us to further develop our manufacturing sector. I thank you so much for helping our community get back into the business of making things.”

• See more photos from the announcement ceremony