Source: Karen Chavez, ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES, 3/28/20

 Tom Dempsey's heart was racing "twice as fast as normal" last week as the president of unique RV maker SylvanSport worked 'round the clock to get supplies from Asia to start immediate production of life-saving personal protection equipment, aka PPE. He is among an army of Western North Carolina outdoor gear manufacturers who typically make bike parts, backpacks and athletic clothing but are abruptly switching gears to do their part in fighting the global coronavirus pandemic.

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