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THE LIGHTS TURNING DOWN IN JACKSON COUNTY? - Aluminum Plants Could Close, 1,700 Job Loss |
| (03/08/2004) |
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By Bob Weaver The lights may be going down in Jackson County, often viewed as a progressive rural county with a good economy and lots of jobs. The merger of two Ravenswood aluminum plants could mean they cease their operations, according to Gov. Bob Wise. At least two other production companies have left the county, going to foreign countries by virtue of the free trade agreements that are "helping" the American economy Now at stake is the loss of another 1,700 manufacturing jobs at the Ravenswood plants, many of them held by regional workers, including some from Calhoun. At least WalMart, state government and the local hospital, whose existence is shaky, will be left. If Pechiney and Century close, there would be a $486 million loss in revenue. Jackson County would lose $3.35 million in taxes each year. The companies have faced problems with aging equipment and labor disputes. Alcan, a Canadian firm, has offered $4.6 billion to purchase Pechiney, which is based in France. The Pechiney plant also has 900 retirees collecting pensions and health benefits that could be at risk. A Pechiney closing is likely to force the neighboring Century Aluminum plant to shut down, as well. Century produces 375 million pounds of aluminum a year and sells 300 million pounds of that to Pechiney. In September, Assistant U.S. Attorney General R. Hewitt Pate argued that the sale is necessary to preserve competition. Foreign competition has reportedly caused at least one of the outfits to become unprofitable, as aluminum operations have generally been shifted abroad by American companies. |
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