DAYTON, Tenn. — Nokian Tyres P.L.C. is helping fund the development of the Cumberland Trail in Rhea County, Tenn., near the tire maker's U.S. tire plant in Dayton.
Nokian said the undisclosed donation, done in honor of Earth Day, will help the Cumberland Trails Conference (CTC) continue to develop the Laurel-Snow part of the trail, near the Nokian plant.
CTC will use the fund to purchase trail-building supplies as it carves out the Rhea County potion of the Cumberland Trail. The state park comprises 28 segments, spanning the width of Tennessee from north to south.
Nokian said that when the trail is finished, it will run 300 miles from Signal Mount to Cumberland Gap.
David Korda, Nokian Tyres factory operations director in Dayton, said the trail '"showcases East Tennessee's beauty and will give Rhea County residents a great place to hike and explore."
Nokian Tyres said that when it opened its factory, it began a sustainability and education initiative, the "Road to Sustainable Success." That included three elements:
- Supporting education in Rhea County and Southeast Tennessee;
- Providing scholarships for high-achieving students; and
- Serving as an advocate for sustainability in the region.
The CTC works with Tennessee State Parks to design and construct the trail, providing labor, equipment, supplies and vehicle. In addition to funds from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the CTC uses volunteer labor and private donations for its trail work.
CTC Executive Director Savana Keeton said support from Nokian "for our trail-building work is key to completing the Cumberland Trail through Rhea County, and it will pay off for Rhea Countians and all who come to hike the trail. We know that Nokian Tyres is dedicated to caring for the environment; this donation underscores its dedication to providing opportunities for people to enjoy it."
