Ford Fund and Walbridge Donate $500K to Construct Temporary School Structures Following Devastating Tornado in Tennessee

On March 31, a EF-3 tornado hit the community of Covington, Tenn., located near Ford’s BlueOval City, catastrophically damaging an elementary and middle school in the Tipton County School District, displacing an estimated 1,300 student and faculty members.

Ford’s BlueOval City, along with Walbridge, Sunbelt Rentals, United Rentals, Phillips & Jordan, Ideal Contracting, and ArchKey, have partnered with Tipton County Schools to provide temporary structures to serve the students and staff of Crestview Elementary and Crestview Middle School in Covington, Tenn., at no cost to the district for the remainder of the 22-23 school year. The Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, and Walbridge have provided $500,000 for this project.

These organizations are all working together on Ford’s BlueOval City site to build an all-new vehicle and battery manufacturing campus that will create nearly 6,000 jobs in West Tennessee when the facilities open in 2025. These partners have provided funding, labor, equipment, infrastructure and expertise to erect the temporary structures for the students and faculty of Crestview Elementary and Crestview Middle School.

BlueOval SK, the joint venture established between Ford and SK On, will be donating $100,000 to the school district for supplies and equipment needed for school to continue, including desks, chairs and iPads.

“After the recent tornado devastated Covington, Ford, Ford Fund and our construction partners jumped to action to ensure the bright minds of Crestview Elementary and Middle School could finish their school year,” said Marianne Dunavant, BlueOval City Government Affairs Manager and Covington resident. “We are here to help our community in this time of need and lend a hand as a good neighbor should.”

The City of Covington has also provided Cobb Parr Park as the site for the two buildings. Tipton County Schools wishes to express our appreciation to Ford Fund, Ford’s BlueOval City, Walbridge, Sunbelt Rentals, United Rentals, Phillips & Jordan, Ideal Contracting, ArchKey and the City of Covington for their support and generous contributions.

Construction is expected to take two-three weeks and up to 20,000 trade hours. Tipton County Schools will keep the community updated on progress as well as the long-term plans for CES and CMS through the district’s website and social media.