Alcoa donates three home sites in Badin to Stanly County Habitat for Humanity

APGI’s Nicole Wright presents the deeds to three vacant lots in Badin to Cemita Gibbs, executive director of Stanly County Habitat for Humanity.

Three new Habitat for Humanity homes will soon be coming to Badin, thanks to a land donation made by Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI).

APGI has donated three vacant lots in Badin to Stanly County Habitat for Humanity. The organization expects to begin construction of new homes on these lots later this year.

“Alcoa’s partnership enables Stanly County Habitat to continue our mission that everyone should have a decent place to live,” said Cemita Gibbs, executive director of Stanly County Habitat for Humanity. “With these additional lots we will be able to give a ‘hand up’ and provide a no interest mortgage for additional families in our community. Alcoa is a corporation that sees the unique role home ownership plays in the development and resiliency of our community and we feel they are committed to helping make a difference.”

Alcoa has been a long-time partner of Stanly County Habitat for Humanity. It has previously donated two lots in Badin and a pickup truck to the organization.

“We’ve seen what a positive impact Habitat for Humanity makes in our community and we’re delighted that we can play a part in providing new homes to deserving families,” said Nicole Wright, APGI Foundation Coordinator. “Our employees look forward to volunteering on the construction of these new homes.”

Alcoa donates truck to Habitat for Humanity

Nicole Wright presents the keys to Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Cemita Gibbs and Fund Development Coordinator Jill Hatley.    

Alcoa Power Generating Inc. recently donated a 2001 Ford pickup F-250 extended cab truck to Stanly County Habitat for Humanity.

“Alcoa has been a fantastic community partner and we are so grateful for their continued support of Habitat for Humanity. We will put this truck to good use delivering materials and supplies between projects,” said Cemita Gibbs, executive director of Stanly County Habitat for Humanity.

Alcoa has previously donated land to Habitat for Humanity to build homes in Badin.

“Stanly County Habitat for Humanity has completed 45 homes in Stanly County and is currently working on #46. Habitat’s no interest mortgages allow families to attain the ‘American Dream’ of homeownership, but we also strive to unite businesses, churches, organizations and individuals together for one common goal of giving back to their community. Alcoa is a great community partner and recognizes the value giving back,” Gibbs said.

“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for the work that Habitat for Humanity does to make our community a better place. We’re delighted to provide this truck to help Habitat accomplish its work,” said Nicole Wright, Alcoa’s Foundation Coordinator.

Alcoa Volunteers Assist Stanly County Seniors

A team of volunteers from Alcoa Power Generating Inc. spent Friday, May 8 working with Stanly County senior citizens as part of the United Way of Stanly County’s Day of Caring. The volunteer effort was part of an Alcoa ACTION grant that involves the donation of time and money to support local community causes.

Alcoa employees completed five landscaping and home repair projects through OASIS, a non-profit organization which provides Stanly County seniors with services that help maintain independence and dignity, prevent premature nursing home admittance, and enhance quality of life. The company will also provide a $1,500 grant to OASIS.

“We love working with the seniors in our community,” said Nicole Wright, the Alcoa Foundation’s local coordinator. “Our employees really enjoyed spending the day out in the community and the people we worked with were so appreciative.”

Alcoa Foundation accepting grant proposals

Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation are currently accepting grant proposals from local non-profit organizations that protect the environment, strengthen education and enhance the community. In the past 10 years, Alcoa has donated nearly $2.5 million and supported more than 100 local non-profit organizations in the region.

“Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation have a long history of supporting North Carolina organizations that improve our community. We are proud to continue our support of worthwhile causes that make our community stronger,” said Nicole Wright, who oversees community grants for Alcoa in North Carolina.

Grant proposals are due by March 31, 2015 and should be submitted directly to Alcoa Power Generating’s office in Badin, NC. (Additional contact information is listed below.)

Alcoa Foundation grants focus on two primary areas:

Education: Supporting STEM education and workforce training initiatives to help build the advanced technology workforce.

Environment: Driving measurable and systematic improvements in environmental sustainability through innovative solutions that incorporate the next generation of products, practices and systems. 

In 2014, local recipients of grants from Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation included organizations such as:

Stanly Community College: $20,000 to support its new Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center)

Pfeiffer University: $20,000 to support a series of summer camps focused on science,technology,engineering and math)

Uwharrie Community Services: $10,540 to fund a technology program aimed at helping seniors improve their computer skills

Rowan County Rescue Squad: $5,000 to purchase four underwater facemasks and buoyancy control devices for divers

John Murray Community Care Clinic: $5,000 to purchase medications and medical supplies

The Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the United States. In 2014, the foundation contributed more than $22 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the world, building innovative partnerships to improve the environment and educate tomorrow's leaders for careers in manufacturing and engineering.

 The work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by the work of employee volunteers who share their talents and time to make a difference in their communities. Through the Alcoa ACTION (Alcoans Coming Together in Our Neighborhoods) program, employees in Badin frequently volunteer on community service projects and provide small grants to help benefit the nonprofit organization.

For more information about applying for an Alcoa Foundation grant or to receive the format for a concept paper, contact Nicole Wright at nicole.wright@alcoa.com. Concept letters can be sent via email or delivered to:

Alcoa Foundation
ATTN: Nicole Wright
293 NC 740 Highway
Badin, NC 28009-0576

ERI to add 75 new jobs at Badin Business Park

We just received some great news from ERI. They have announced plans to hire 75 more employees at Badin Business Park before the holiday season.

Electronic Recyclers International, the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste, operates regional recycling centers across the country. The recycling center in Badin, NC opened in 2011 to cover the Southeast US. It is one of the company's fastest-growing locations.

“Our business is growing fast and we continue to expand at each of our locations around the country,” said John Shegerian, ERI’s Chairman and CEO. “Every year around the holidays we see a huge influx of unwanted electronics being discarded to make way for new and incoming gifts. We need more people to handle this surge now and who can develop their careers with us moving forward.”

People interested in applying for a job can submit a resume online at: www.electronicrecyclers.com/about-us/careers.aspx.

A wide range of positions are available, including CRT Dismantler, E-Scrap Sorter, Forklift Operator, Repair Specialists and many other warehouse positions. Click here to read the ERI announcement.

APGI completes Tuckertown boat ramp improvements

The repairs and improvements to the concrete boat ramp at the Highway 49 Boat Access Area in Stanly County have been completed and Tuckertown Reservoir is once again full.

The new concrete boat ramp at Hwy. 49
Boat Access Area is not complete.

Alcoa Power Generating Inc. temporarily lowered Tuckertown so it could perform the work last week. Lake levels returned to normal on Monday.

“Boaters can now enjoy the new concrete ramp, which has been repaired and extended to make it safer and easier to load or unload boats,” said Karen Baldwin, APGI Natural Resources Manager. “The project was completed on time and lake levels quickly returned to normal.”

Alcoa employees volunteer at Community Inn in Albemarle

Volunteers from Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) in Badin took time out of their workday last week to feed the homeless at the Community Inn in Albemarle. The employees helped feed 100 people and provided a $1,500 donation to support Community Inn. 

“It’s important to give back and support the people in our community who need a helping hand,” said Nicole Wright, Alcoa Foundation Coordinator for APGI. “The Community Inn provides a valuable service to families in Stanly County and we’re glad that APGI can support their efforts by donating our time and money.”

The Community Inn is an emergency housing facility that assists people who need a place to stay for a short period of time. It is part of Homes for Hope, a non-profit organization that works to reduce homelessness in Stanly County by individuals and families with the support they need to gain independence and become successful community members.

The volunteer effort was part of Alcoa’s “Month of Service” that encourages employees across the world to support their local communities through donations of time and money. Last year, Alcoa employees spent more than 700,000 hours volunteering during the month of October.

During the “Month of Service,” APGI employees also helped pack meals for students at Aquadale Elementary School in Norwood to support the Weekend Food Program that provides healthy, non-perishable meals for students during the weekend.