This story was updated on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 3:58 p.m.
Anita Collins grew up in Brunswick, only about two blocks away from the Hercules plant, now called Pinova. It manufactured wood rosins that were used for making adhesives until a fire in 2023, causing the site to be decommissioned permanently.
“The folks in the neighborhood and surrounding areas worked at Hercules — it provided a source of income for families. And even though we knew that the smokestack and the smell that emanated from the plant was disgusting, it was a source of income,” Collins said.
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