Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on West Badin home

Stanly County Habitat for Humanity has begun construction on its first home in West Badin. The home, located on one two properties donated by Alcoa, will allow Habitat to fulfill another family’s dream of home ownership. 

“We are a company that believes strongly in supporting our communities,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “In Badin and around the world, Alcoans like to build things. This is a great cause that we were happy to support.”

Anton visited the Badin site last week with a team of Alcoa employees and Habitat leadership. 

“We are grateful for the partnership of Alcoa and are excited about the possibilities of helping this community grow,” said Cemita Gibbs, Executive Director of Stanly County Habitat for Humanity. “It is obvious by this donation that Alcoa cares about their community and the people.”

Alcoa employees plan to take part in building the home. 

“Our employees have already told me that they are looking forward to volunteering to help Habitat for Humanity during the construction of this home,” Nicole Wright, Alcoa Foundation Coordinator. “It’s a great way to give back to the community and we look forward to the start of the project.”

Alcoa to award scholarships to Stanly County high school valedictorians

Alcoa is giving the brightest high school seniors in Stanly County an added incentive to finish the school year strong.

Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation announced today that it will award a $500 scholarship to the valedictorian at Stanly County high schools this year. The scholarships will be awarded in June. 

“On behalf of Stanly County Schools, I would like to thank Alcoa for its continued support of education in Stanly County,” said Dr. Terry Griffin, superintendent of Stanly County Schools.

A similar scholarship provided by Stanly County was eliminated this year due to budget cuts. 

“Supporting education is a priority for Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation,” said Kevin Anton, Alcoa’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “We are excited about recognizing these outstanding students and providing a scholarship that will these talented young people pursue their dreams.”  

Alcoa has been doing business in Stanly County for nearly 100 years and has a long tradition of supporting the community. Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation have donated more than $4 million to North Carolina non-profit organizations since 1990.

Central Park NC Study Criticized As "Propaganda"

The Salisbury Post and Stanly News & Press provide a good recap of the Uwharrie Commission meeting on Wednesday night in Mocksville. The meeting included the presentation of a controversial study prepared for Central Park NC. 

Here is a brief excerpt from the articles:

Salisbury Post
Report details benefits if state takes control of Alcoa-operated dams on Yadkin

Supporters of Alcoa Inc. bristled at a report that showed local jobs and millions of dollars could be available if North Carolina claimed control of four Alcoa-owned dams on the Yadkin River. ...

Larry Jones, president of the High Rock Lake Association, and Ray Barham, Alcoa’s relicensing manager, both spoke against the report after the presentation Wednesday afternoon.

Jones criticized the board for spending taxpayer money on the report he described as “propaganda” that pushed the commission’s agenda.

“The report that I saw presented up here is full of incorrect information, erroneous information and information that was addressed long ago,” Jones said, adding he hadn’t yet had time to thoroughly examine the report.

Barham said the report was flawed in the premise that the state could still recapture the license. Legislation to address the issue previously died in the N.C. General Assembly.

Click here to read the entire article.

Stanly News & Press

Alcoa slams Uwharrie Yadkin study

Alcoa's Yadkin relicensing manager slammed a report funded by the Uwharrie Regional Resources Commission that seems to favor a recapturing of the Yadkin dams by the state and warned of a long legal fight if that action is attempted.

Commission Chairman Dr. Max Walser gave Ray Barham of ALCOA “three or four minutes in the interest of fairness” to respond to the report after the nearly hour-long presentation concluded.

“There’s not enough time to go into all the financial errors in these reports,” Barham said.

He said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had never recaptured a project.

“They have already stated publicly in an environmental impact statement that recapturing is not an option on the Yadkin River,” Barham said.

“That don’t see it as being necessary and we’re already past the time permitted in the law before the license is up to be notified about recapturing.

“To continue down that path is really misleading and foolish. The state really shouldn’t be trying to look at controlling private dams and private property. It’s not what this commission is about. It’s not how you do economic development.”

He asked what would be next if the state began taking over private businesses.

“Would it be farm land or oceanfront property the state wants to turn into a casino or a hotel?” he asked.

“That’s the dangers you’re talking about when you bring up this issue.”

Barham said the reports overlook hundreds of years of federal law, common law and those regarding ownership rights in North Carolina and the United States.

“I think the Supreme Court rulings would be very different than what you’re hearing tonight,” he said.

“If it continues down this path, it’s a long and expensive legal fight that the state of North Carolina does not have the money at this point to engage in.

“I would think the money fighting over this would be better put in doing something real instead of some pipe dream.”

Barham argued that ALCOA has invested in economic development in Badin.

“We’ve spent $10 million trying to create jobs,” he said.

“We’re actually the only ones that have created jobs in the last few years versus this committee.”

He said the company would welcome the state commerce department to work with them in creating jobs instead of “chasing the pipe dream of a few.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Signs of Progress at Badin Business Park

Electronic Recyclers International, the nation's largest electronic recycler, recently unveiled new signage for its regional recycling center in Badin. ERI moved into a newly renovated 165,000 square foot facility at the Badin Business Park last year. The company continues to install new equipment to expand its recycling operations. 

The Badin Business Park, located at the site of Alcoa's former aluminum plant, will welcome a second company this year: Mabel Systems NC.

Davidson County joins list of RSA Supporters

Add Davidson County to the list of state agencies, local governments, environmental organizations and homeowner and recreational users that support granting Alcoa a new license for the Yadkin Project.

On Tuesday night, the Davidson County Board of Commissioners formally voted to support the Relicensing Settlement Agreement (RSA) for the Yadkin Project. The agreement will  improve water quality, preserve land, protect habitat and enhance recreational opportunities along the Yadkin River. 

The Relicensing Settlement Agreement is supported by 23 organizations, including many local governments. Davidson County is joined in its support of the RSA by The Town of Badin, The City of Albemarle, Montgomery County and Rowan County.

Read more about Davidson County in the Lexington Dispatch: Commissioners support Alcoa's relicensing agreement


Click here to read more about the Relicensing Settlement Agreement.