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International Paper repairing damage after June explosion; Sunbrella expansion headed to county commissioners
Summary
Warren County Economic Development Director McKinley Perkinson told the EDC board that International Paper is repairing damage from a June explosion and expects to resume full production within months; she also said county commissioners will vote on a Sunbrella expansion at an upcoming meeting.
McKinley Perkinson, Warren County community and economic development director, told the Economic Development Commission on June 15 that an explosion at International Paper last month has caused damage the company is currently repairing.
Perkinson said the company is “slowly repairing and rebuilding the damage” and that it hopes to return to full operations within a couple of months. Her report came during a meeting that could not conduct formal business because the board lacked a quorum.
Perkinson also briefed the board that the Warren County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on a proposed expansion by Sunbrella at an upcoming meeting. She did not provide further details about the Sunbrella proposal in the commission meeting minutes; the director said only that the commissioners would be voting on the expansion.
Why it matters: International Paper is a local employer and any disruption to operations can affect jobs and supply chains in Warren County. A Sunbrella expansion could also have implications for local job growth and tax base depending on the proposal commissioners consider.
The meeting did not take any formal actions on either item because there was no quorum; Perkinson said she has also begun outreach to North Carolina Commerce on the county strategic plan, which could shape future economic responses and priorities.
