Tobacco farmers expect Philip Morris to announce station closure

For decades, Greene County boasted the biggest burley hauls in the state. But by 2010, the county had slipped to sixth as fewer and fewer farms cultivated the cash crop.

The Philip Morris receiving station in Midway (also called Tennessee Valley Tobacco Services) still takes in 6,000,000 pounds of burley tobacco a year -- most of it from Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, TriCities reports.

"It will be roughly $10.5 million in sales lost if this receiving station closes," Jonathan Cavin said.

Cavin, of Cavin Farms, said 138 farmers use the station. They're worried Philip Morris -- and parent company Altria Group -- will close it and direct shipments 175 miles north to Danville, Kentucky.

"Tobacco is something that's been passed down from generation to generation through our family," he said. "My great grandfather bought the main farm that my father and grandfather live on with tobacco money from the Great Depression."

Altria called farmers last Friday and invited them to a company-hosted meeting at the General Morgan Inn in Greenville this Friday at noon.  Hotel staff said that meeting is closed to the press.

Danville Economic Development Partnership CEO Jody Lassiter said the Philip Morris receiving station there (also called Danville Tobacco Services) opened last year. He described it as one of the most efficient facilities of its kind.

"It's a 50,000 square foot warehouse, previously an industrial facility, and they've done a lot of interior work this year," Lassiter said. "Drivers drive through, unload, and drive out."

Lassiter said the Danville station could easily handle an additional 6,000,000 pounds of tobacco a year.