Opened in 1977, the 130 employees at the Beattyville, Kentucky facility manufacture fire fighter turnout coats. The town has a population of about 1000 and the community in Lee County has 7700 residents. Lion Apparel and its employees were recognized by the local Chamber of Commerce with the Industry of the Year Award. Lion and its employees are active supporters of many community activities and groups. Included are "Christmas Spirit" - a civic group formed to decorate Beattyville for the holiday season; Habitat for Humanity; the Lee County School System, and the local annual Woolly Worm Festival. Lion and its employees also help many of the community's organizations by producing banners, sewing tablecloths, and making tote bags for community functions. Facility employees have worked to rejuvenate the Chamber of Commerce and are active as the chair or participants on various committees such as Friends for Friends and the Trolley Committee. Many Lion employees are secret pals for residents of the local nursing home, help needy area children at Christmas, and participate in "Friends for Friends" programs - an organization that raises funds for terminally ill patients in need. Lion supports area fire departments and several employees also serve on the Lee County Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary and the Owsley County Fire Department.