AppHarvest Workers Report Unsafe Conditions

Former employees of AppHarvest, a startup backed by JD Vance, have described severe working conditions, including extreme heat exceeding 128 degrees Fahrenheit and inadequate safety measures. Despite Vance's portrayal as a champion for the working class, testimonies from ex-workers suggest that the company, which filed for bankruptcy in 2023, failed to deliver on promises of local job creation and instead hired migrant workers. Complaints regarding insufficient breaks and lack of protective equipment were reported to the Department of Labor, but state inspections did not result in citations. Vance, who was an early investor and board member, has distanced himself from operational issues, stating he was unaware of the working conditions after stepping down in 2021. The rise and fall of AppHarvest challenges Vance's image as a supporter of Appalachian communities, as many workers reported injuries and heat exhaustion. As the company declared bankruptcy, it left behind a legacy of disillusionment among its workforce, contrasting sharply with Vance's public statements of support for local economic development.