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.