Maryville, TN – Artazn Zinc, located in Greene County, Tennessee, is the United States’ sole producer of penny blanks, providing the raw material for the production of pennies. However, recent developments in Washington, D.C. have placed the company and its 300 employees under a cloud of uncertainty.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump issued a directive to the U.S. Treasury Department, ordering an end to the minting of new pennies. The decision was made in response to growing concerns that the cost to produce pennies now exceeds their actual value.
Despite the announcement, operations at Artazn Zinc in Tusculum continued without disruption on Wednesday. As one of the largest and oldest producers of zinc products in North America, Artazn’s role in the global supply chain remains vital. The company, which serves the U.S. Treasury and international clients, manufactures penny blanks used in coin production.
Greene County officials have expressed concern over the potential economic impact of halting penny production. Although the county declined to comment for an interview, they acknowledged that the issue of discontinuing the penny has been discussed before by previous administrations. However, the recent directive has reignited the debate and local leaders are now closely monitoring the situation.
In a statement, Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison addressed the community, emphasizing the longstanding importance of Artazn Zinc to the local economy. “Artazn Zinc, located here in Greene County, is and has been a premier manufacturing partner, employing 300 residents for years. They are the sole supplier to the U.S. Treasury for penny blanks,” he said. “We are continuing to assess the overall impact, both short term (employment considerations) and long term (future products & operations in Greene County), as this situation unfolds.”
Morrison expressed confidence in Artazn’s ability to navigate any challenges that may arise, pointing to the company’s diverse range of products and its leadership’s proven track record. He also stated that Greene County officials have reached out to federal lawmakers for support and advocacy.
While the penny’s future remains uncertain, the local community is steadfast in its support for Artazn Zinc and its workforce. As discussions continue, both locally and in Washington, the outcome of the U.S. Treasury’s decision will have far-reaching consequences for the company and the people of Greene County.
The situation also raises broader questions about the cost-effectiveness of producing low-value denominations and whether the U.S. will move toward modernizing its coinage in the years to come. For now, all eyes are on the next steps from the federal government and how they will affect Artazn Zinc and its role in U.S. currency production.
