Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. We spoke with John Smith, a former employee of the aluminum plant who worked there for 10 years before its closure. With the inevitability of the denouement of a Greek tragedy, or of the sudden abiding compassion of Fox Noise anchors for children on the left bank of the Rio Grande, Russian once-and-future-blacklisted aluminum giant Rusal has pulled the plug on its northeast Kentuckyquid pro quoinvestment. HAWESVILLE, Ky. (AP) A large aluminum plant in Kentucky is temporarily halting production and laying off more than 600 workers due to rising energy costs. A large aluminum plant in Kentucky is temporarily halting production and laying off more than 600 workers due to rising energy costs. that is degrading to another person. After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio. We'd love to hear eyewitness The recently passed right-to-work legislation has played a significant role in bringing the plant to Kentucky. In 2011, the plant was acquired by a new company, which invested heavily in modernizing the facility. By Herald-Leader readers. or anything. John explained that the plant had been struggling financially since the late 2000s. Copyright 2022 TheAssociated Press. Beshear on Thursday said it will go down as the shadiest economic development deal in Kentuckys history.. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements. Bouchard said on his Facebook page at 10:42 a.m. that he had just stepped off an international flight Friday morning and he did not authorize the press release that was issued yesterday. The U.S. Senate voted down a measure opposing the plan to end thesanctions against Rusal and EN+ Group in January 2019. Putin got the sanctions lifted, and Mitch McConnell got played for a fool. Tribe to have last say. See also:Kentucky planning to implement a $400 unemployment supplement. All rights reserved. Low 43F. Braidy Industries became a hotly debated company two years ago when then-Gov. The county's judge-executive, Johnny Roberts, told the newspaper the company gave him no assurances the plant would reopen after that. The effect of this was felt throughout the entire community, as the local economy suffered greatly. WebRobert Reid Power Plant is a coal-fired power plant owned and operated by the Big Rivers Electric Cooperation as part of Sebree Station.It is located in the northeast corner Webster County, Kentucky (just south of the Anaconda Aluminum plant in Henderson County).The plant obtains much of its fuel from coal mines located within just a few miles of the plant Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Chairman, President and/or Chief Executive Officer may be removed, either with or without cause, solely by an affirmative vote of seventy (70%) percent of the members of the Board of Directors, the bylaws read. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. There's a good end to that aluminum plant story at least. smelter and the largest producer of high purity primary aluminum in North America.. An aluminum plant in Kentucky laid off 600 people. October 06, 2021 1:39 PM. According to a Bloomberg report, Rusal, the formerly blacklisted Russian The aluminum mill is still on course for its expected completion date of 2021, the company said. The lesson for Republicans should be that if they are going to sell themselves out to Putin, they should be smart enough to get payment up front. Matt Bevins administration with Braidy Industries to bring jobs to the state. What Happens When You Put Aluminum Foil in the Microwave? See latest map, NFL Draft: Reaction to Tennessee Titans taking Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, After being drafted by Commanders, Chris Rodriguez knows his mom would be proud. State officials, including Gov. The Senate committee's report, which examines Russian efforts to interfere in America's 2016 presidential election,says: "Deripaska's companies, including RUSAL, are proxies for the Kremlin, including for Russian government influence efforts, economic measures, and diplomatic relations.". The materials had been the subject on an ongoing court, Conflicting accounts about the status of Braidy Industries CEO Craig Bouchard have led to confusion. The deal was originally brokered under former Gov. "Taken as a whole, Manafort's high-level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russianintelligence services, particularly Kilimnik and associates of Oleg Deripaska, represented a grave counterintelligence threat," it also says. Maybe for Monday consumption. Century Aluminum (NASDAQ:CENX) said on Wednesday it will closee its smelter in Hawesville, Kentucky, for 9-12 months as "a direct result of skyrocketing energy Craig.. "Rusal, one of the leading global aluminium producers, and Braidy Industries Inc., a U.S. base holding company which owns both Veloxint, an MIT-incubated lightweighting solutions company, and NanoAl, a Northwestern University incubated materials research and technology company, announce an intent to establish a joint project in Ashland, Kentucky, USA to produce flat-rolled aluminium products for the U.S. automotive industry," according to a company press release. Invalid password or account does not exist. Russia cancels Kentucky aluminum plant after Moscow Mitch fails to throw election, Ways to get involved in the upcoming elections. And three months later, Rusal announced plans for an extraordinary partnership with Bouchards company, providing $200 million in capital to buy a 40 percent stake in the new aluminum plant in Ashland, Ky. a project Gov. ", Robert Steurer, a spokesman for McConnell, told The Courier Journal last year that the senator has said Rusal's investment in Braidy's mill did not play a role in his stance on the sanctions against the Russian company. He has covered politics and government in Kentucky since May 1978. Could it have been the recent change in Senate leadership on 5 January and Moscow sorry, Senator Mitchs failure to support the Boyar Restoration on 6 January? Your Herd from Herald-Dispatch Reach Manager. However, in 2019, the plant closed its doors for good, leaving many in the community wondering what happened. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Employees learned of the pending layoffs on Wednesday. The long-delayed aluminum plant project near Ashland, Kentucky is facing another setback. Andy Beshear said through a spokesman that had been told the resignation of Bouchard will not impact the current status of the project.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In the days since President Joe Biden formally launched his 2024 campaign, key members of the sprawling political coalition that lifted him over former President Donald Trump in 2020 are far from excited about the prospect of four more years. Some experts have claimed that it is possible Deripaska could use his ties with these companies to exert some influence over Rusal. Some argued that the plants owners had failed to invest adequately in the facility, while others blamed the government for not providing enough incentives for businesses to remain in the area. The Courier Journal sent Braidy Industries a request for comment concerning the Senate committee's report. We won't share it with anyone else. Earlier in the day, Kentucky Gov. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today:courier-journal.com/subscribe. Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). The production equipment was, therefore, installed in long rows, which eliminated the need for the expensive transporting of the product. Employees learned of the pending layoffs on Wednesday. This content was created by a Daily Kos Community member. The long-delayed aluminum plant project near Ashland, Kentucky is facing another setback. The legislative leader said he understood that Bouchard could have done more because of his number of shares in the company.. Four years later, however, there is still nothing to show for it. Jason is the managing editor. Despite the financial losses, he expressed sadness at the loss of jobs for so many in the local community. However, after the closure of the plant, the job market in the area took a sharp downturn. Some were even forced to close their doors due to the lack of customers in the area. | Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Switching to an Aluminum-Free Deodorant, Exploring the Benefits of 80/20 Aluminum for Construction Projects. Our shady former (R) Governor was on that deal and sunk $15M KY tax dollars in it. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to Herald-Dispatch. It pointed to a substantial and growing supply deficit in the North American flat rolled aluminum industry, based on growing demand from the automotive and beverage industries. Bevin asked us to do that has not come to fruition. Century Aluminum has announced plans to shut down its Hawesville smelter for 9 to 12 months starting in August. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism They have talked to some local officials that are very confident that the project is moving forward, said Osborne. The news is only the latest twist for the troubled project, which has been plagued by fundraising questions and the ouster of the CEO formerly overseeing the venture. Click #isupportlocal for more information on supporting our local journalists. And three months later, Rusal announced plans for an extraordinary partnership with Bouchards company, providing $200 million in capital to buy a 40 ", Steurer said in an email Wednesday that previous comments McConnell has made about Rusal still stand. Citing an "unprecedented rise in global energy prices," Century Aluminum in Kentucky announced they will be laying off 628 Hawesville Smelter employees starting August 5. He also noted that the plant was not able to keep up with the changing demands of the aluminum industry, which led to further financial losses. McConnell was among the advocates for lifting sanctions on Rusal, arguing that the deal with Treasury would maintain pressure on Deripaska personally without disrupting global aluminum supplies. I will continue, if we think that there is any opportunity there to, to support it.. A Russiancompany that has invested in Braidy Industries' planned aluminum rolling mill in Eastern Kentucky was identified as a proxy of the Kremlin in a new report the Senate Intelligence Committee released this week. The purpose of this article is to explore the closure of the aluminum plant in Kentucky and its economic, environmental, and political implications. The Century Aluminum plant in Hawesville, Kentucky, is shutting down production due to rising energy costs. First Republic in Limbo as US Regulators Juggle Bank's Fate, 'Waste of Time': Community College Transfers Derail Students, Rising Mississippi River Continuing to Test Flood Defenses. We want their jobs to be in Kentucky.. So far the company has sunk at least $65 million in the proposed mill, to be built by Unity Aluminum, previously known as Braidy Industries. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Deripaska, the Rusal co-owner, pops up many times in the Senate committee's report. The purpose of this article is to explore the Indiana-based Steel Dynamics said Tuesday that investment for its project is estimated to reach $2.2 billion, which includes two supporting aluminum slab centers to be built elsewhere. The closure of the aluminum plant in Kentucky was the result of a series of events that began in the late 2000s. All rights reserved. Unity Aluminum promised in 2017 to build the aluminum plant at a site off Interstate 64 where Boyd, Greenup and Carter counties come together, and to hire 550 people. The Russian firm, United Co. Rusal, agreed last year to invest $200 million in the mill, which is expected to create hundreds of long-term jobs in a struggling region of the state if Braidy is able to raise enough financing to build the facility, which will cost well over $1.5 billion. Will The Real CEO Of Braidy Industries Please Stand Up? They all expressed disappointment and frustration with the situation, noting that the closure had put a strain on their businesses. Choose wisely! The plant had been releasing pollutants into the air and water for decades, and the closure did nothing to address these issues. Our current awesome (D) Governor got that money back in September. Century Aluminum said the Hawesville plant is its largest U.S. The closure of the aluminum plant in Kentucky had a significant economic, environmental, and political impact on the local community. The U.S. government previously imposed sanctions on Rusal and its parent company, EN+ Group. However, in June, Century announced it was temporarily shutting down production at its largest U.S. plant, an aluminum smelter in nearby Hawesville, Kentucky. Create a password that only you will remember. It said, We were previously advised of these changes and it is our understanding they do not impact the current status of the project., Massie, R-Vanceburg, said Friday afternoon that he did not know what the deal is., He said he had no advance notice that Bouchard was stepping down and it took me by surprise as well., Asked if he was concerned about the project, Massie said, Ive always assigned startup odds to it. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. WASHINGTON Democratic lawmakers called on the Trump administration on Thursday to review an investment in Kentucky by a Russian aluminum company that Hundreds of people lost their jobs, leading to an increase in unemployment in the area. Backers have touted the plant, which was slated for completion last year, as one that could create up to 550 jobs. Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates. Earlier this month, The New York Times reported the Treasury Department had allowed around $78 million worth of company shares to be transferred to a trust fund belonging to Deripaska's children, despite a previous statement from Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin claiming that the oligarch's children would "in no way benefit" from sanctions relief. The plant opened in 1975 and over the years employed hundreds of people, making it an integral part of the local economy. The Ashland Alliance is the chamber of commerce group representing Boyd and Greenup counties. "Its time for Moscow Mitch to tell the truth to the people of Kentucky. A company planning a new facility in Kentucky is set to partner with a Russian company once suspected of meddling in the 2016 presidential election.The, Braidy Industries says it has about four months to raise $300 million in equity capital for a proposed aluminum mill in Kentucky or risk losing a large, Gov. Gov. accounts, the history behind an article. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The local government could invest in clean-up efforts, such as installing air filtration systems and monitoring water quality. A large aluminum plant in Kentucky is temporarily halting production and laying off more than 600 workers due to rising energy costs. A large aluminum plant in Kentucky is temporarily halting production and laying off more than 600 workers due to rising energy costs. Everyone wants to see the project materialize, said Stivers, because it would be greatly helpful to a region that has lost AK Steel and will soon lose one of two hospitals. The company that received $15 million in taxpayer money to build an aluminum mill in Eastern Kentucky is changing its name as it looks to move forward without its former chief executive. Kentucky's state government also has a financial stake in the mill's future, followinga direct investment it made in Braidy in 2017. Use the 'Report' link on Jun 25, 2022. The Russian company backing an aluminum project in Kentucky said its suspending investments as it waits for U.S. partners to raise funds, dealing a new setback to the billion-dollar-plus mill that was supposed to be completed last year. Jack Brammer is Frankfort bureau chief for the Lexington Herald-Leader. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Roberts said the company told him that its power costs have risen dramatically this year. The Evergreen State takes the top spot again in the U.S. News Best States ranking on the strength of its tech sector and other industries. Prior to the closure of the aluminum plant, the local job market was relatively strong. It was later revealed that a company called Braidy Industries planned to build a $1.7 billion aluminum rolling mill in northeastern Kentucky, creating 600 jobs. With a Putinesque smile, Rusal explains itssuspendingits investment in theboondoggleproject while it waits for other partners to raise funds. They estimate it would take 30 to 36 months to construct the facility and the earliest production could begin would be 2025, five full years after the mill was set to be complete. And McConnell told reportersin May 2019 that his decision to support lifting the sanctions was unrelated to "anything that might happen in my home state. And a significant number of its steel customers also have demand for aluminum, it said. The story of Braidy Industries and its plans to build a $1.7 billion aluminum mill in northeastern Kentucky has always been complicated. Steel Dynamics also hopes customers will locate operations at the mill site to save money, also contributing to the need for more space, the Unity spokesperson said. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Meanwhile, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron asked interim Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes Friday to provide records by Feb. 7 about the states ties with Braidy Industries. Kentucky Gov. Kentucky gave a $15 million investment into the project in 2017 after Braidy Industries, now called Unity Aluminum, promised to build a massive aluminum mill near Ashland. On Thursday, Braidy Industries released a statement saying CEO and Board Chairman Craig Bouchard had stepped down. Steelmaker moves ahead on effort to build plant in Southeast; Ky. officials say they wont give up. Ashland Alliance President Tim Gibbs said he and other local officials are working with the state economic development cabinet to keep the project in Kentucky. "We celebrated that," said Andy Meserve, president of United Steelworkers Local 9423. "The Board will be two-thirds/one-third independent of Deripaska, Deripaska will not receive any dividends for as long as he remains subject to sanctions, and the Company and its operations will remain under the scrutiny of U.S. regulators," the document reads. Politicians used the closure as a political tool, blaming each other for the loss of jobs and trying to score political points in the process. Rusal's involvement has been controversial from the start, after it was revealed that the company had been subject to sanctions. The plant along the Ohio River had recently increased production and in April announced an addition of 60 jobs. 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