Three Roots Capital has partnered with Regions Bank to provide financing for Protomet Corporation’s new manufacturing facility in Rockwood, Tennessee. The $25 million expansion project will create 250 new jobs, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to East Tennessee and its workforce.
Protomet, a precision engineering and manufacturing company headquartered in Loudon, Tennessee, is expanding its footprint by acquiring and renovating a 250,000-square-foot facility on a nine-acre site in Roane County. The former Albahealth building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art production center, enabling Protomet to increase capacity, support new product lines, and strengthen relationships with key customers in the marine industry.
Three Roots Capital and Regions Bank jointly provided a $10.7 million loan to help finance the purchase and renovation of the property. The deal required extensive coordination among multiple partners, including the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and local officials in Roane County and the City of Rockwood.
“This project is special because it takes an abandoned sock mill with brownfield challenges and transforms it into a facility that will create 250 quality jobs in a rural community that needs both investment and opportunity,” said Dennis Corley, Director of Lending at Three Roots Capital. “Three Roots and Regions provided the capital to make the purchase and renovations possible, enabling Protomet to expand its operations and grow its workforce.”
The Protomet Rockwood project presented unique complexities. The property required a remediation plan and extensive facility upgrades. While the financing process took about a year to complete, Three Roots and Regions worked closely with Protomet to overcome each challenge and bring the deal to the finish line.
“Regions Bank is proud to partner with Three Roots Capital and Protomet on a project that brings new energy and opportunity to Roane County,” said Ellen Trusty, Commercial Banker at Regions Bank. “Supporting the growth of companies like Protomet is an important part of our mission to strengthen the communities we serve. This expansion will have a lasting positive impact on the local economy, and we are grateful to play a role in helping make it possible.”
Protomet’s expansion aligns directly with Three Roots Capital’s mission to provide flexible capital that drives job creation and community revitalization in low-to-moderate-income and rural areas. The Rockwood location is part of a community that will benefit significantly from new employment opportunities and private investment.
Roane County Executive Wade Creswell said, “A high-quality local employer supported by local or regional financing is a powerful combination for driving job creation and economic growth in a community. We’re proud to have supported this project and to have helped attract Protomet and Three Roots Capital to our community.”
Protomet was founded in 1997 by Jeff Bohanan. Over nearly three decades, Protomet has grown from an early-stage engineering venture into a nationally recognized manufacturer known for innovation, product quality, and long-term customer partnerships. Including this expansion, Protomet now has more than 550,000 square feet of manufacturing space, positioning the company to remain a leader in marine manufacturing and engineering. As the boating industry continues to expand, this investment provides the capacity needed to stay competitive and support future growth.
The new Rockwood facility will initially house Protomet’s wire harness engineering and manufacturing operations. Protomet is focused on solving complex challenges through advanced engineering, precision manufacturing, and close collaboration with its customers, helping them bring innovative, high-performance products to market efficiently and reliably.
“This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for Protomet and for Rockwood. By transforming a vacant building into a state-of-the-art manufacturing center, we’re creating lasting opportunity for people in Roane County and positioning Protomet for long-term growth,” said Bohanan.
“The Three Roots team has a real ‘get it done’ attitude,” he added. “They approached every challenge with patience, persistence, and creativity, always keeping the end goal in sight. Their partnership was instrumental in bringing this expansion to life.”
“What stands out about Protomet is their strong culture and engineering foundation,” said Corley. “Jeff and his team have built a company focused on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. They take the long view and invest in people and processes that drive lasting success.”
The Protomet Rockwood expansion represents the kind of high-impact project that Three Roots Capital seeks to support across Tennessee and Appalachia. By partnering with mission-aligned organizations like Regions Bank, Three Roots continues to help businesses access capital that strengthens local economies and creates sustainable opportunities for growth.