Goose Creek Plant Spared in Alcoa Cuts

The local Alcoa facility in Goose Creek is safe for now after a new list of closing sites focused on Europe.

After a round of U.S. closings released last Thursday, the aluminum production company announced Monday that it would cut operations at three more sites. Operations impacted included Alcoa, Tenn., and Rockdale, Texas, as well as two sites in Spain and one in Italy. 

In all, Alcoa is reducing 12 percent of the company's global smelting capacity between the two announcements.

But there is a warning in the reason Alcoa selected these facilities for closure. "An uncompetitive energy position, combined with rising raw material costs and falling aluminum prices, led to the planned curtailment of the facilities," according to a company-wide release.

“In today’s rapidly changing global economy, it is imperative to respond quickly to maintain competitiveness,” said Chris Ayers, Alcoa Executive Vice President and President, Alcoa Global Primary Products. 

Alcoa is in the midst of an energy fight locally with power provider Santee Cooper. The issue will have to be resolved by this summer. The company has said its hoping for a good rate to stay competitive and and offered her support.

The company claims to provide $110 million in state and local revenue and has a $900 million economic impact in the state.