20211115_E-Blackburn

My name is Emily Blackburn, and I am a resident of Cherryville, North Carolina. I graduated
from Cherryville High School in 2014, then attended Appalachian State University where I rCC i eVeC4 MX
FjacAkOQ rMbki� 1 in Geology. After graduating in 2018, 1 applied to every job I could find online, most of
which were west of the Mississippi. This led me to working in Apple Valley, Minnesota, 1,157
miles from home. I left my parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends to
pursue a career in a field that I loved so deeply.
After a few months of working in Minnesota, I received a call from Lamont Leatherman, a
Lincolnton native, about a career opportunity in Gaston County as a Geologist. I couldn't
believe it! Never in a million years did I think that I could have my dream job as a geologist in
MY hometown. But here I am, a geologist in Cherryville, working for Piedmont Lithium.
My story reminds me of the female engineer from Gastonia who spoke at the County
Commissioners meeting held on July 20t". She listed out all the places across the country where
she had worked, Gaston County was not mentioned. This speaks volumes.
Piedmont Lithium will be able to create jobs for the engineers and geologists, like me, who are
local and can stay local, and in the process create jobs for many other people in the area, small
businesses, restaurants, manufacturing companies, and other service industries. It will mean
more help and funding for local schools and charities.
This is my home. I would never work for a company that was going to harm my home. The
number one thing we focus on at work every day is how to protect and preserve our
environment. I understand this is an emotional issue, and it's not easy for me to be up here
because I probably have some friends that don't see this the way I do. I wish people would just
take a breath, ask questions, and give us the chance to answer, rather than throwing out
accusations on social media. Our business is about helping to save the planet, not hurt it. I work
with good people who have families, children, grandchildren, this is what they do for a living,
and they care about their work and our world. It doesn't make them bad people or make
Piedmont Lithium a bad company. I'm proud to work here. I believe in what we are trying to do,
and in the way we are trying to do it. Thank you.