Stanly County Commissioners Reject New Alcoa Settlement Offer

The Stanly County Commissioners today failed to reach an agreement with Alcoa to resolve issues surrounding the Yadkin Project relicensing. The decision follows recent settlement discussions initiated by Stanly County. Alcoa will keep the new offer on the table until midnight on June 28.

“Commissioners Josh Morton and Gene McIntyre asked us to put together a new proposal that specifically addressed water and water infrastructure,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We did exactly that with this proposal.” 

Anton added, “The offer we have extended to the Commissioners is valid through June 28, so we are hopeful that the citizens of Stanly County will reach out to the Commissioners and make their views known.”

The deal, which received yes votes by Commissioners Morton and McIntyre, supports the county’s efforts to access more water from the Yadkin Project; provide a $5 million contribution to support water infrastructure projects; and also include a $2.5 million payment to be dispersed over the next 10 years. In addition, Alcoa is committing to the continued implementation of a series of environmental measures to improve water quality, and both sides would drop current lawsuits. 

“We believe that Alcoa is the best operator for the Yadkin Project, and we will continue our efforts to renew our license,” Anton said. “We would like to thank Representative Justin Burr for his efforts to help mediate a settlement between the two parties. Despite today's vote, we believe our differences can be resolved through continued open and honest dialogue.”

Alcoa began the relicensing process in 2002, working closely with stakeholder organizations to develop a relicensing settlement agreement that includes environmental protections, recreational enhancements and a host of other community benefits. The relicensing benefits will be implemented once Alcoa receives a new federal license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

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.

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.