David Stickler: Clean Tech did its best

The Winston-Salem Journal published a guest column today from David Stickler, a member of Clean Tech's Board of Directors, about why the company was unable to reach an agreement with the Stanly County Commissioners.

"If there had been true interest by Stanly County in finding a path forward, I feel certain that Clean Tech and Alcoa could have mitigated all of the concerns that were raised — even those raised at the 11th hour," Stickler wrote

"But there was one fundamental problem: Every time we mitigated or structured around one concern, the county would simply present another concern that then needed to be addressed."

The entire article is reprinted below:

Clean Tech did its best

By DAVID STICKLER

Now that Clean Tech has abandoned its plans to build a $300 million manufacturing plant and create 450 new jobs in Stanly County, I see that there is already a lot of finger-pointing in the press about why we were unable to reach an agreement with the Stanly County commissioners. Having been directly involved in the process of trying to structure a transaction that met the county's concerns, let me share my perspective.

If there had been true interest by Stanly County in finding a path forward, I feel certain that Clean Tech and Alcoa could have mitigated all of the concerns that were raised — even those raised at the 11th hour.

But there was one fundamental problem: Every time we mitigated or structured around one concern, the county would simply present another concern that then needed to be addressed.

First it was environmental. Then it was jobs. Then it was the number of jobs. Then it was the length of the jobs commitment.

In a final effort to reach an agreement Thursday evening, Clean Tech teamed with Alcoa and committed to creating 750 jobs with a payroll and benefits commitment that started at $30 million a year and increased over time to more than $43 million a year. The commitment would have lasted 50 years.

But even after these commitments were put on the table and the previously identified concerns addressed, the county began raising new obstacles, some of which involved the most unlikely of business scenarios. So I asked the county directly: If we can resolve these latest concerns, will you create a path forward? Unfortunately, the response received led Clean Tech to conclude that there would always be one more challenge to overcome and that the process would never end.

At that point, Clean Tech finally had to say enough is enough. We had tried our best.

Issues surrounding the relicensing of Alcoa's dams were obviously a major sticking point for the county. It is important for everyone to know that Clean Tech never tried to infringe on Stanly County's or North Carolina's legal standing with respect to having a voice at the table regarding permits, 401 certificates or government authorizations. All Clean Tech was looking for was an assurance that the county and the state would allow the regulatory process to move forward in a timely manner so that we could begin the construction and hiring process.

As we prepare to move forward with our plans to locate the Clean Tech plant in another state, I feel terrible for the citizens of Badin and Stanly County who would have benefited from the investment that Clean Tech was trying to make. The support of the citizens for the Clean Tech project was overwhelming. I am sorry that things did not work out differently.

Clean Tech issues press release

Clean Tech distributed the following press release this morning.

Clean Tech abandons plans to develop its $300-million 

manufacturing plant in North Carolina

Clean Tech Silicon and Bar LLC announced today that it was abandoning its plans to invest $300 million and create 450 jobs in Stanly County, NC, in the town of Badin. A December 15 deadline to reach an agreement passed without an agreement being reached with either the Stanly County Commissioners or North Carolina.  

The Stanly County plant was to be located on an industrial site owned by Alcoa and would have created 450 new jobs. Clean Tech would have employed 250 people with an average wage of $55,000 per year and created an additional 200 support jobs with an average wage of $40,000 per year.

Key elements of the proposed Clean Tech agreement included:

• A 30-year commitment to Stanly County in terms of investment, job creation and related payroll. 

• A commitment to forego certain tax breaks available to all scrap metal recycling companies operating in North Carolina and pay full property taxes. 

• A pledge to provide $500,000 a year to educational institutions in Stanly County.

In a last effort to try and reach agreement with Stanly County and North Carolina, Clean Tech teamed with Alcoa and offered to commit to creating a total of 750 jobs with a payroll and benefits commitment that started at $30 million and increased over time to more than $43 million annually.  The jobs and payroll commitment would have lasted for fifty years.

In announcing that it was abandoning its plans to invest in Stanly County, Clean Tech noted that unlike almost every other economic development project recently announced in North Carolina, Clean Tech was not seeking government subsidies, incentives or tax holidays and was instead looking to benefit from a substantial package of incentives Alcoa was providing to support Clean Tech’s investment in the town of Badin at the site of its former aluminum smelter. 

The Alcoa incentive package included a direct investment in Clean Tech, a long-term purchase commitment, and an agreement to significantly lower Clean Tech’s cost of electrical power. 

John Correnti, Clean Tech’s chairman, stated, “I am disappointed that things did not work out differently and that the legal maneuvering related to North Carolina’s and Stanly County’s attempts to take control of Alcoa’s hydroelectric dams finally forced us to move on. We tried our best but in this case other agendas prevailed.”  

Correnti went on to state that “Clean Tech greatly appreciates the enthusiastic support for Clean Tech shown by the good folks of Stanly County and the town of Badin.  They deserved a better outcome.”

Clean Tech expects to announce its new location shortly after the year-end holidays. 

# # #

Commissioners walk away from deal to bring $300M investment, 450 jobs to Stanly County

Alcoa remains committed to attracting new jobs to Badin, obtaining new hydro license for Yadkin Project

  

Stanly County Commissioners failed to agree on a plan to bring a $300 million investment and 450 new jobs to the County, effectively walking away from a one of the largest economic development projects in the county’s history. 

Clean Tech Silicon & Bar LLC, led by former Nucor CEO John Correnti, had set a December 15 deadline for the company to reach an agreement with Stanly County that would have allowed the silicon and rebar manufacturing plant to move forward. After several meetings this week, the Commissioners failed to reach agreement with Alcoa and Clean Tech. 

“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often, and it’s incredibly disappointing that these 450 new jobs will not be coming to North Carolina,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer and the executive responsible for the Company’s recruitment of Clean Tech. 

Despite the obstacles that forced Clean Tech to abandon its plans in Stanly County, Anton says Alcoa will continue working to bring other businesses to town. 

“Alcoa remains committed to attracting new jobs to the Badin Business Park. We will follow through on our plans to improve water quality and protect the environment, and we will continue to vigorously pursue a new license for the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project,” Anton said. “Our goals remain the same, no matter how long it takes to reach them.”  

Recruiting Clean Tech

Alcoa began discussions with Clean Tech this summer, and the prospect of bringing hundreds of new jobs to Stanly County excited residents. Local elected officials and community leaders organized a “rally for jobs” in October that drew a crowd of 750 people. 

“The support of Mayor Harrison, Mayor Whitley, and other community leaders was overwhelming,” Anton said. “We appreciate the support of so many local residents and will continue working on their behalf to bring new jobs to Badin.” 

Alcoa offered a substantial package to Clean Tech as part of its recruitment efforts, including a commitment to invest in the company and purchase silicon for aluminum alloying. In addition, Alcoa offered economic incentives that would allow Clean Tech to obtain affordable power.    

Alcoa could only afford to offer those incentives if it obtains a new hydro license for the Yadkin Project, which it has owned and operated for nearly 100 years. Stanly County officials have delayed the relicensing with various legal challenges.  

Alcoa proposed a settlement to Stanly County in exchange for dropping its legal challenges and paving the way for Clean Tech to invest in Stanly County. The Company committed to attract approximately 750 new jobs within four years and attract $400 million in investments in the next five years — measures that would have spurred local spending and generated millions in new tax revenue. In addition, Alcoa pledged to contribute $6 million to Stanly County for education and other needs over the next two years.  

To address concerns that the jobs and investment would not materialize, Alcoa provided financial assurances that could generate more than $50 million for economic development in the region if Alcoa failed to meet its commitments.  

“We made our best effort to reach an agreement that would have an immediate, positive impact on the local economy and put these issues to rest,” Anton said. “Instead, it looks this process will continue for years to come.”  

Redeveloping the Badin Site

Alcoa has been working diligently to attract new jobs to Stanly County. Beginning in February, the company accelerated its plans to redevelop the former Badin aluminum smelter. It invested $10 million to turn the plant into the Badin Business Park and aggressively reached out to customers and business partners as part of its efforts to bring new jobs to North Carolina. 

Earlier this year, Alcoa successfully recruited Electronic Recyclers International, the nation’s largest electronic recycling company, to Badin. ERI began hiring this summer and will move into a larger, newly renovated facility early next year that will employ 200 people. Alcoa invested $5 million in building renovations to accommodate ERI.     

“The Badin Business Park is a great manufacturing site that is ready to come to life,” Anton said. “Clean Tech was an ideal fit in many respects, but we remain committed to redeveloping the Badin site and will continue to recruit companies to locate at the Badin Business Park.”  

Salisbury Post editorial supports Alcoa agreement

The Salisbury Post published an editorial on Sunday supporting Alcoa's efforts to attract new jobs to the Yadkin region and end the debate over the relicensing of the Yadkin hydro project:

"Like many of the diverse stakeholders involved in this process, we believe working with Alcoa is a better option than continuing this standoff in hopes of recapturing the license and taking over the Yadkin dams.

"No, there aren’t any iron-clad guarantees. But a hard-fought settlement with Alcoa offers a clearer outcome than the turbulent, muddy waters that lie in the other direction."

Alcoa has committed to attracting new jobs and investment to Stanly County, including a $300 million plant from Clean Tech Silicon & Bar that will create 450 new jobs.  In addition, Alcoa and Clean Tech have made commitments that could generate an additional $1 million a year for Stanly County schools.

With Clean Tech's December 15 deadline quickly approaching, the Stanly County Commissioners must decide whether to embrace the new jobs that Clean Tech will bring or continue legal challenges that could last another decade or more. The Commissioners meet tonight at 7:00 pm in Albemarle.

Click here to read the entire Salisbury Post editorial. 

Clean Tech sets December 15 deadline for Stanly County project

Stanly County stands to lose 450 high-paying jobs if an agreement to bring Clean Tech to Badin cannot be reached within the next month

Clean Tech Silicon & Bar still hopes to build a $300 million manufacturing plant in Stanly County that will create 450 high-paying jobs. But the company informed the Stanly County Commissioners today that it will eliminate the Badin site from consideration if an agreement cannot be reached by Thursday, December 15. Clean Tech is also considering sites in Mississippi and other states.

“Badin is an ideal location for our company and we are ready to move forward with this project immediately and create jobs. But we cannot continue to wait on the sidelines for the Stanly County Commissioners to act,” said John Correnti, chairman of Clean Tech and former CEO of Nucor.

The Clean Tech project would create 250 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $55,000 and 200 support jobs with an average annual salary of $40,000.

In a letter to the Stanly County Commissioners, Clean Tech officials expressed frustration that the commissioners have refused to meet with the company since July to discuss ways to advance the project. Clean Tech offered again to meet with county officials and discuss how to make this project a reality.

Clean Tech’s interest in Stanly County rests in part on incentives offered by Alcoa, including an investment into the joint venture and other support that will significantly lower operating costs. Key to making the incentive package viable is renewal of a federal hydropower license for Alcoa Power Generating Inc.’s Yadkin Project, which will help fund some of the incentives. Stanly County has filed legal challenges that have delayed the relicensing process.

In an effort to reach an agreement with Stanly County, Alcoa has offered a deal worth more than $50 million. The Company has committed to recruiting new jobs that will generate $30 million in annual compensation; has pledged to attract $400 million in investments that will generate more than $2 million a year in additional tax revenue for the county; and has offered to contribute $6 million to the county for public education and other pressing community needs. If Alcoa fails to meet those commitments, it will provide up to $1.2 million a year to Stanly County for the next 40-50 years.

The December 15 deadline is driven by the expiration of Clean Tech’s project development agreement with Alcoa and other business partners.

Stanly County has an unemployment rate of 10.9% and its residents are desperate for new jobs. A rally for Clean Tech jobs recently attracted a crowd of 750 people, and a local job fair for Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) this summer brought in more than 1,000 applications for 25 jobs, indicating a high degree of interest in employment opportunities.

Alcoa has actively worked to recruit new jobs to Stanly County since closing the Badin Works smelter in 2010. ERI, the nation’s largest recycler of electronic waste, opened a regional recycling facility in Badin in May 2011 and will move into an expanded building in January 2012. The company plans to hire 150 people by early 2013.

Boaters Beware: Fall and Winter Bring Additional Water Safety Risks

Boaters who take to the water during the fall and winters months face a different set of risks when it comes to water safety. There are fewer boats and law enforcement officers on the water to provide assistance in the event of an emergency, and heavier clothes and colder temperatures can make it much more difficult to swim to safety if you fall in the water without a life jacket. It can be a deadly combination.

“There are fewer people on the lakes in the fall and winter, but the potential dangers for boaters are even greater,” said Marshall Olson, environmental and natural resources manager for Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI). “It’s important for people to pay just as much attention to water safety issues this time of the year as they do during the summer recreation season.”

APGI reminds boaters to Play it Safe on the Lakes by taking the following precautions: 

• Always Wear a Life Jacket: Wearing a life jacket is the most fundamental way to stay safe — and it’s even more important in colder water temperatures. The risk of cold shock and hypothermia can impede your ability to perform even the most basic of tasks.
• Be Prepared: Review the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s “Boating Checklist” to make sure you have the necessary equipment on board and operating correctly. You can view the checklist online at: www.ncwildlife.org.
• Use the Buddy System: Avoid boating alone. If you are alone, make sure someone knows  where you are going and when you plan to return.
• Check Weather Forecasts and Advisories: Be prepared for adverse weather and sudden weather changes. Never go boating during storms.
• Be Aware of Lower Lake Levels: The lakes can experience lower water levels during the winter, exposing tree stumps and other potential hazards. Check the water levels online at www.alcoa.com/yadkin and be on the lookout for hazards.
• Have An Emergency Plan: Make sure you have a working marine radio and a charged mobile phone so you can call for help in an emergency.
• Do Not Overload the Boat: Boats that are weighted down are more likely to tip over.
• Be Careful Near Dams: Stay a safe distance from dams. Do not go past the warning signs and buoys located above and below the dams.
• Stay Dry, Stay Warm: Dress in layers and bring extra clothes. If you get wet, change into dry clothes as quickly as possible.

Stanly County business leader speaks out in support of Alcoa

A respected Stanly County business leader is speaking out in support of Alcoa's effort to recruit new jobs to Stanly County and obtain a new federal license for the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project.

Dick Storm, CEO of Storm Technologies in Albemarle, sent a letter to Inside Stanly and the Stanly News and Press outlining why he supports Alcoa.

He highlights the high unemployment rate in Stanly County and the availability of the Badin site as the best industrial site in the region.  "Alcoa is sincerely trying to rejuvenate industry in Badin," Storm writes. "If they are not able to relicense the Hydropower facilities, not only does Stanly County appear 'Anti-Industry' but no one else is better equipped to provide economic development."


The 450 high-paying jobs that Clean Tech Silicon & Bar will bring to Badin if an agreement can be reached could transform Stanly County."Most important to me, the Citizens of our County will be able to improve their incomes and employment opportunities," Storm says.

Click here to read a full copy of his letter.

Who is Clean Tech?

Who is Clean Tech? That's a question that has been on the minds of a lot of folks in Stanly County recently.

The Stanly News & Press recently printed a profile of Clean Tech. Some of the highlights:

• Clean Tech is led by a management team and investor group that has extensive experience building and operating industrial facilities across the United States.  Over the past 30 years, Clean Tech’s management and investment sponsors have helped create more than 10,000 jobs and invested billions of dollars in various projects in support of modernizing industrial America.  
• Clean Tech prides itself on (i) purchasing and installing the very best technology and equipment available, (ii) spending substantial amounts of time and money on employee training, and (iii) creating a compensation system that allows for wages well above the base wage level.  
• Projects include a $1 billion of scrap metal recycling investments in Arkansas; a $350-million “green renewable” investment in Hertford County, NC when Gov. Jim Hunt was leading efforts to create advanced manufacturing jobs; and an $880-million steel mill investment in Mississippi that created 450 jobs with guaranteed average annual wages of $53,000 per year.  (In some years, average annual wages exceeded $90,000.)

Clean Tech wants to make a $300-million industrial investment in Badin, North Carolina that would create 250 direct jobs (average annual wages of $55,000) and 200 indirect jobs (average annual wages of $40,000).  

Alcoa and Jobs

The Salisbury Post published an editorial today supporting our efforts to reach an agreement with Stanly County and bring hundreds of high-paying jobs to Stanly County. We agree that it's time to work together to bring 450 Clean Tech jobs to Stanly County. The other option -- a protracted legal battle and the loss of the Clean Tech jobs -- won't benefit anyone.

Read the editorial below.

Salisbury Post Editorial
Wednesday, September 14

Alcoa and Jobs

Alcoa and Stanly County commissioners still stand on opposite sides of the river when it comes to Alcoa's hydroelectric relicensing efforts, but at least they've been talking to one another. We'll take that as an encouraging sign.

The latest volley in the public relations battle over the relicensing centers on jobs. Alcoa, which is seeking federal approval to continue operating its Yadkin River hydroelectric dams, says securing the license is necessary to recruit new businesses and replace the jobs lost when the Badin smelting operations closed. Standing in the way, however, is Alcoa's inability to get a water quality certificate, which the state has refused to issue, citing mistatements on Alcoa's application. Stanly has sided with the state, which opposes renewal of Alcoa's federal license in hopes of taking over the Yadkin dams and using cheap electricity as its own industrial recruitment tool.

Meanwhile, caught in the middle of this power struggle are Stanly County citizens, who like those elsewhere could desperately use new jobs to help lower a double-digit unemployment rate. Their hopes were raised a few months ago when Alcoa announced that Electronic Recyclers International would move into the site of Alcoa's former smelting plant in Badin, starting with a workforce of 20-30 employees that is expected to reach 200. Now, Alcoa says another company, Clean Tech Silicon and Bar LLC, could bring in several hundred jobs and $300 million in investment. But in return, it apparently wants Stanly to drop its opposition to the water quality certification and relicensing effort. Stanly Commissioner Tony Dennis contends Alcoa is holding the promised jobs "hostage" as a way to put pressure on the county. Which is probably true to the same extent the state is holding the water certification "hostage" to gain leverage against Alcoa.

In reality, both Alcoa and its relicensing opponents have played hard ball at times. But with good jobs on the table, the need to get past the war of words becomes more urgent. The takeover attempt has lost momentum as North Carolina copes with the economic downturn. At this point, it's hard to fathom state or county officials pursuing what would no doubt be a protracted and costly court battle against Alcoa. While the details of negotiations between Stanly and Alcoa haven't been divulged, the fact they've discussed a deal suggests possible movement in this standoff.

With takeover of the dams a distant possibility at best, better to drive a hard bargain with Alcoa and gain jobs and other tangible benefits now than to continue pursuing a costly legal battle that doesn't create employment for anyone other than lawyers and lobbyists.

Stanly County Jobs Rally Draws 750-800 People

A grassroots effort to rally support for new jobs in Stanly County drew a crowd of 750-800 people in Albemarle on Friday night.



The event was organized by Badin business owner Vanessa Mullinix and Albemarle Mayor Whit Whitley last week as word spread that Stanly County might lose the opportunity to attract 450 jobs from Clean Tech Silicon and Bar LLC.

Clean Tech has expressed interested in opening a manufacturing facility at Alcoa’s former plant site to produce silicon and rebar. A key aspect is reaching agreement on future economic development of the Badin Business Park and resolution of the 401 Water Quality Certificate with the Alcoa-owned Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. If Alcoa and the Stanly County Commissioners are unable to reach an agreement, Clean Tech will locate elsewhere.

At the Friday rally, Mayor Whitley read a letter from Clean Tech investor Dave Strickler: “In order for us to locate in Stanly County, what we need is a clear path forward so that we can make our investment and begin the hiring process. Let’s hope that the message tonight reaches the ears of the officials elected to represent your interests,” the letter said.

Click here to read more about the rally from the Stanly News & Press and Inside Stanly, and click here to see the thoughts of one local professor.

Another Milestone for ERI’s Badin Facility

Electronic Recyclers International, the first company to begin operations in the Badin Business Park, has reached another important milestone. The company announced this week that its regional recycling center in Badin is now officially a certified ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 facility.

The certification demonstrates that ERI has successfully met or exceeded international standards in the areas of minimizing harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities, and has achieved evidence of continual improvement of its environmental performance.

The nation’s largest recycler of electronic waste, ERI announced in May 2011 that it would begin operations at former site of Alcoa’s Badin Works plant. The company began operations in July and has begun hiring local employees. It expects to grow its workforce to 150 employees by the end of 2012.

Click here to learn more.

Alcoa joins in celebration of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Alcoa recently joined the U.S. Forest Service and others to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in Graham County in western North Carolina. Click here to watch a short video of the celebration. 

“We’re a major part of this community and have been since 1910,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa Chief Sustainability Officer.  “Our hydro dams are adjacent to the forest and we have employees who call this community home. We take pride in working cooperatively together to preserve the biodiversity in this very unique area which reflects a key part of Alcoa’s sustainability value.”

The forest is named after poet Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in action during World War I.

Lexington Dispatch highlights success of Alcoa's water safety efforts

The Lexington Dispatch published an article Monday by Darrick Ignasiak (Authorities credit safe summer at lake to new water safety devices) highlighting the success of our water safety efforts. There have been no drownings at High Rock Lake this year.

Photo by Lexington Dispatch 

Alcoa Power Generating Inc. provided 250 free life jackets to children earlier this summer and provided additional life jackets to the Davidson County Sheriff's Department to distribute to children riding on boats without life jackets. The efforts are part of our annual "Play It Safe on the Lakes" safety campaign.

"Cpl. Randy Holbrook, supervisor of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office lake patrol, said he's a big proponent of Alcoa's safety measures. In addition to the new equipment, the company has purchased a boat for the sheriff's office and continues to provide funding for deputies to monitor the lake," writes Ignasiak.

Click here to read more.

At Home in Badin

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the world's largest electronics recycler, has started operations at its Southeast regional recycling hub in Badin. ERI is the first tenant in the Badin Business Park, located at the site of Alcoa's former aluminum plant, and will move into a permanent facility early next year. 

The company has started hiring employees and will grow its workforce to 150 people by the end of next year.  

ERI Job Fair Draws 750 People to Badin

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the first tenant in the Badin Business Park, drew quite a crowd for its first job fair on Saturday. More than 750 people turned out, hoping for a chance to work at the new electronic recycling facility located at the site of Alcoa's former aluminum plant. ERI will hire 20-30 people this summer and employ 150 people by the end of next year.

People started lining up at 6 am, and the line stretched around the Badin fire department and down the street by mid-morning. That demonstrates just how much the community needs new jobs. Alcoa is engaged in ongoing discussions with additional companies about moving to Badin Business Park and will continue efforts to recruit new jobs to Stanly County.

Read the AP article.

Read the Stanly News and Press article.

Read the Winston-Salem Journal article.

ERI Job Fair Coming to Badin

The first tenant of the new Badin Business Park, located at the site of Alcoa's former aluminum smelter plant, has announced that it will hold a job fair in Badin on Saturday, July 16 and immediately begin hiring a local workforce.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the world’s largest recycler of electronic waste, plans to hire 20-30 employees this summer to assist with the startup of its Southeast regional recycling hub. It will grow its workforce to more than 150 employees by the end of 2012 and eventually plans to hire up to 200 employees as its recycling volume grows.  

ERI will begin operations this month in a temporary facility before moving into a permanent, 165,000 square-foot facility in January 2012. ERI is investing $5 million in the facility, and Alcoa is spending an additional $5 million on building improvements.

Alcoa recruited ERI to the Badin earlier this year and continues to work with state and local officials to attract additional employers to the Badin Business Park, which will have 535,000 square-feet of prime industrial space and 50 acres available for development after ERI moves into its new facility.

Click here to read more about the job fair.

President Obama visits Alcoa

President Barack Obama toured Alcoa's Davenport, Iowa plant on Tuesday to see how it is making ground and air transportation lighter, stronger and safer. He announced that Alcoa is joining the President's Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, an effort to bring together industry, universities, and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies to create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance competitiveness. 

“At companies like Alcoa reinvention is a way of life…that spirit is at the heart of our American story," President Obama said. 

Click on the video below to see highlights from his visit:

Click here to read more about President Obama's visit.

Play it Safe on the Lakes

I hope everyone enjoys the Memorial Day weekend. If you planning to enjoy the lakes, please remember to "play it safe." 

Alcoa Power Generating teamed up with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and local law enforcement officials in Davidson, Montgomery, Rowan and Stanly counties earlier this week to promote the importance of water safety.

Alcoa and the local law enforcement community have been preaching the benefits of wearing a life jacket for years. This year, Alcoa went a step further and hosted a series of water safety events last weekend at High Rock and Badin Lakes. We distributed more than 200 free life jackets to children.

We will provide local law enforcement officers with additional life jackets to distribute to boaters who are not carrying an adequate number of floatation devices. 

Davidson County Sheriff David Grice, Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten and Stanly County Sheriff Rick Burris thanked Alcoa for working with law enforcement agencies to educate the public about water safety. Alcoa provides $90,000 a year to local law enforcement to fund increased patrols of the lakes.

Watch news coverage from WGHP, WFMY, News 14 

Read coverage from the Salisbury Post and Stanly News & Press.

200 New Jobs Coming to Former Alcoa Site

It was a special week in Stanly County. Electronic Recyclers International, the world's largest recycler of electronic waste, announced Monday that it is bringing up to 200 new jobs to the area. The California-based company is opening a regional recycling hub in the Badin Business Park, the site of the former Alcoa smelter.

 

ERI Chairman and CEO John Shegerian provides a "Green is Good" t-shirt to 

State Representative Justin Burr during a press conference in Badin on Monday. 

"We're going to help recycle this plant, recycle that building right there and we're going to help recycle the community and bring brand new jobs," said ERI chairman and CEO John Shegarian.  Shegerian made the announcement before a crowd of 100 community leaders and local officials, including U.S. Congressman Larry Kissell, State Sen. Bill Purcell, State Rep. Justin Burr, Stanly County Commissioner Josh Morton, Badin Mayor Jim Harrison and Albemarle Mayor Whit Whitley. 

 

Alcoa is investing more than $10 million to redevelop the former plant site and continues to actively recruit businesses to the Badin site.

 

"We have an obligation to make sure that this site is redeveloped," said Kevin Anton, Alcoa's chief sustainability officer.

 

Read the press release.

Read the Salisbury Post editorial, Generating jobs in Badin

Read the AP article, Recycling company adding 200 jobs in Stanly County

Investing in Badin Redevelopment

Earlier this week, Alcoa announced that it has awarded more than $7.2 million in contracts associated with the redevelopment of its former plant site in Badin. Much of the work was awarded to North Carolina businesses, including Stewart Engineering Inc. (Charlotte), Apex Engineering (Concord), REI Engineers (Charlotte) and Western Waterproofing Company (Charlotte). Additional contracts will be awarded later this year as work progresses.

The redevelopment of the Badin site -- which includes partial building demolition and restoration of some current structures -- is designed to make the site more appealing to new companies. 

Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer, has been leading our efforts to recruit new businesses to the site. 

“We are very excited to get the redevelopment of the Badin site under way. This is a significant investment by Alcoa, and a big step toward bringing new jobs to Badin,” he said. “Over the last three or four months, we’ve marketed the location to many companies who may have an interest in locating here. We are excited about what redevelopment will mean to the community, and the new construction and permanent jobs it will bring.”

Alcoa has led the recruiting effort and is also working with local and state economic development officials to attract new employers to Badin. 

Redevelopment work is currently under way, and a majority of the site improvements are expected to be complete by the end of 2011.

Click here to read the press release.

Salisbury Post: Eagles settle in at High Rock

The Salisbury Post ran a story today (Eagles settle in at High Rock, by Karissa Minn) highlighting APGI's efforts to carefully cultivate bald eagle habitats at the Yadkin Project. 

A record number of bald eagle nests were spotted during an aerial survey conducted in March. The survey found seven active nests at the Yadkin Project — three at High Rock Lake, two at Tuckertown and one each at Falls and Badin Lake — the largest number of active nests since APGI began conducting annual surveys in 2001.  

During the past 10 years, 19 different bald eagle nests have been identified along the reservoirs, producing nearly 50 chicks. That is a testament to the type of environment and natural habitat that exists around the Yadkin Project.

Marshall Olson, APGI's environmental and natural resources manager, has made a concerted effort to manage the property around the reservoirs in a responsible way that attracts and protects bald eagles and other wildlife.  

Click here to read the complete Salisbury Post article and see more photos from Jon C. Lakey.