CENTURY ALUMINUM TALKS Efforts Underway To Re-Open Shuttered Jackson Co. Facility
Reported by: Kennie Bass
Videographer: John Tincher
Web Producer: Kennie Bass
Reported: Feb. 21, 2012 6:07 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
Blaming a drop in aluminum prices and rising costs to operate, Century Alumimum shuttered its Ravenswood plant three years ago. More than 650 people lost their jobs.
But now...with new company leadership, there is hope that the plant's smelters will be fired up once again.
However, for that to happen three things must be accomplished. First, some type of health care package has to be hammered out for retirees, who have lost all of their promised benefits.
Once the retirees are taken care of...lawmakers would have to pass a bill allowing Century to have flexible utility rates. If the cost of aluminum went down...so would the company's electric bill.
If both of these goals are reached, Century would then have to make a new deal with its union workers.
It's estimated Century would re-open with about 450 jobs...paying an average of 60-thousand dollars a year.
After a year, another 80 to 100 jobs would be added...giving hard hit Jackson County a much-needed economic boost.
Neighboring facilities in W.Va. differ on abortion May 19, 2013 2:09 PM EDT A crisis-pregnancy center that counsels women not to have abortions has moved next door to a health facility in Charleston that provides abortions.
Dalai Lama begins visit to Louisville May 19, 2013 5:48 PM EDT The Dalai Lama spoke to about 15,000 people at the KFC Yum Center as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists began his visit to Louisville.
Police in NW Ohio: home invasion victim targeted May 19, 2013 4:36 PM EDT Police in northwest Ohio are searching for three suspects in the shooting death of a business owner during a weekend home invasion.
Kennie Bass
