U.S. Mint made its final order of penny blanks

Artaz Zinc is has a factory in Greene County. They are the nation’s sole manufacturer of penny blanks.

The U.S. Mint has placed its final order for penny blanks with Artazn Zinc in the last phase of phasing out the penny, a government official confirmed Thursday.

After the U.S. Mint announced it was making a final phase out of the penny earlier this year, the fate of Artazn Zinc’s factory in Greene County hung in the balance.

Artazn Zinc is the nation’s sole manufacturer of penny blanks.

“The importance of Artazn to our community cannot be overstated,” said Greene Co. Mayor Kevin Morrison. “This company provides high-quality manufacturing jobs and supports a skilled workforce, not just in Greene County but throughout the region.”

Morrison said they support 250 local jobs and have an impact across East Tennessee and the region as a whole.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump ordered his administration to stop producing pennies, citing it takes more than 2 cents to produce. The president said he was transferring the task to the Federal Reserve.

“We have a great company here in Greene County that has done a fantastic job supporting the U.S. Mint and, in turn, the American people,” said Jeff Taylor, President of the Greene County Partnership. “Artazn has consistently proven its value by helping the U.S. Mint meet its demands efficiently and cost-effectively.”

Taylor went on to add, “The potential cost savings from Artazn’s coin solutions demonstrates the forward-thinking innovation happening right here in Greeneville. These aren’t just manufacturing jobs; they’re high-tech, precision-based roles that support families and strengthen our region.”