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Randy and Jenny Boyd, representing the Boyd Foundation, visited Newport on Wednesday to get a better view how their donation of $1 million is going to be used to help recovery efforts in Cocke County in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The University of Tennessee President and his fellow entrepreneur/philanthropist wife donated the money through their foundation as part of a larger $3.5 million recovery investment in the region.

“So we’re happy to be able to contribute in an hour of need to our friends and neighbors in Northeast Tennessee,” Randy Boyd said at a gathering at the Cocke County Partnership office in Newport. “When we heard about the floods, (affecting) these fellow Tennesseans, these are people that we knew, people in this community that we knew, we wanted to try to do what we could.

“It’s just exciting to see how things are turning around in Cocke County… Glad to be a part of it. In God’s timing, the way this has worked out, I think it’s been really good.”

A special organization, the Mountain Strong Fund, has been organized and is going through some final steps to be completely certified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Earlier efforts were organized through the Cocke County Partnerships, but officials said the additional organization reflects their commitment to transparency and accountability as they continue to shepherd resources through their community.

“We are very thankful for the donation from Randy and Jenny Boyd and the Boyd Foundation,” Cocke County Partnership President Daryl Brady said. “This contribution represents a significant investment in the economic recovery after Hurricane Helene.”

Brady said a tremendous amount of effort has been taken to make sure funds are applied in ways that will have a good impact on the community that was devastated by flooding.

The first funds go out tomorrow to the volunteer fire departments and rescue squad in Cocke County.

“We wanted to be careful about planning for the donation because we knew there would be a tremendous amount of needs left after the initial shock and recovery of the (event),” Brady said.

Other funds, government and otherwise have come in since the 2024 extreme weather event, including $1 million from Bush Beans earlier in the recovery funding process.

“It’s taken a while, as Daryl (Brady) mentioned, to figure out what federal funds you have,” Boyd said. “But we’re just maybe coming in as the last dollar. I guess this is to say we’re just happy that we’re in a position to help or honored to be able to help.”

Newport City Manager James Finch and several other Newport city officials were present at the meeting.

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis expressed gratitude for the donation and the way the Boyd Foundation joined in the effort to recover.

“Failure is not an option and with the help of our friends like our President and Mrs. Boyd, you are helping to make that happen,” Mathis said. “You are helping to make us stronger than we’ve ever been.”