Photo Credit: Mount Vernon Mills

Mount Vernon Mills has announced that they are closing their yarn and weaving mill in Alto, Georgia.  On Friday, Randy Henderson, Vice-President of Mount Vernon Mills in Trion, told WZQZ News on Friday, “We have announced the closing of our Alto plants effective March 9th, and we are still running full operations in Trion.”

The closing of the Alto Mill in Northeast Georgia has some Mount Vernon Mills employees and business partners nervous here in Northwest Georgia.  Several contractors that work with Mount Vernon Mills in Trion told WZQZ News that they were told to “go home” this week and rumors have run rampant as to what changes are coming at the mill in Trion.   Those contractors provide electrical, mechanical and other services to the mill here in Chattooga County.

One rumor was squelched by Mr. Henderson in his reply to WZQZ News’ questions.  The rumor has been that Carhartt was buying out Mount Vernon Mills.  Mr. Henderson said, “Carhartt is not buying us.”

The Alto, Georgia mill was built in 1967 as a yarn operation.   It was set up primarily for ring-spun rayon yarns. Over the years the Alto, Georgia produced mostly rayon yarns until about nineteen years ago when the mill was set up to produce cotton yarn.  Since that time, the mill in Alto had been producing 100% cotton yarn.

For the past several years, Mount Vernon Mills has increased its presence in fire-retardant material manufacturing, which has become a major part of the company’s business.  It is not clear what, if any, changes will take place in Trion with the closing of the Alto, Georgia operation.

Mount Vernon Mills is the largest employer in Chattooga County, employing around 1700 people.  The mill is responsible for about 80% of the taxes paid to the Town of Trion.  The mill, originally known as “Trion Factory” began operation in 1845 and was the first cotton mill in Northwest Georgia.  Today, Mt. Vernon Mills in Trion is the largest and one of only a few mills left in the United States that produces denim material.