Moving Forward with Badin Works Redevelopment

Alcoa announced this week that it will permanently close two idle smelting plants, including the Badin Works plant in Badin, North Carolina.  This is a positive step that will allow Alcoa to continue moving forward with its ongoing plans to redevelop the Badin Works site to attract new industry and new jobs to Badin and Stanly County.

 

The decision to officially close the plant helps pave the way for redeveloping the site by removing the need to preserve equipment and permits for a potential restart of the plant.  Alcoa officials are currently evaluating future plans for the site, including the potential demolition of buildings. 

 

Alcoa has a successful track record of redeveloping former smelter sites to attract new investment and new jobs that benefit the local community.  For example, a former smelter in Oregon is now a thriving industrial park and the redevelopment of a smelter in Washington state is creating up to 1,900 construction-related jobs. 

 

Alcoa will continue to work closely with state and federal officials to determine the appropriate steps to manage environmental issues associated with the site.

 

Built in 1917, Badin Works was one of the oldest and smallest aluminum smelters in the nation.  Changing economic conditions led Alcoa to reduce the plant’s production in 2002 and formally curtail operations in 2007.

 

This announcement does not impact Alcoa’s hydroelectric operations or the relicensing of the Yadkin Project.  The company continues to employ more than 30 people in Stanly County and remains the county’s largest taxpayer.