On Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded a $2.5 million grant to help a world leader in aluminum manufacturing and recycling build a plant in south Alabama and create 800 new jobs. Site work is now underway, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in October.
Community Development Block Grant funds will provide the infrastructure required for Novelis Inc. to invest in a $2.4 billion facility in Bay Minette. The mega-plant will be on a 3,000-acre site off Alabama Highway 287 and Interstate 65.
“This commitment from Novelis Inc. to construct a high-tech aluminum plant will have a major impact on Baldwin County and is evidence of Alabama’s strong business climate and its capable workforce,” Gov. Ivey stated. “I am pleased to award these funds in support of this project which will bring hundreds of job opportunities to the area.”
In May 2022, Atlanta-based Novelis announced plans to build the low-carbon and energy-efficient aluminum rolling and recycling plant at the south Alabama location and use state-of-the-art equipment.
“This investment marks the start of another transformational growth phase for Novelis,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group and the Novelis Board of Directors. “We continue to invest in each of the markets Novelis serves – from beverage can to automotive, aerospace, and specialties – and in all geographies. Novelis has a track record of success in delivering customers the low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions they seek, and we will continue that storied history with this investment and others to come.”
Novelis provides products used in the automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing businesses.
The grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), will be used to extend public water and sewer services to the plant. The city of Bay Minette has pledged $650,000 in labor and equipment for the utility extensions.
“Projects like this do not just happen on their own. They take a lot of teamwork and cooperation by local leaders who work tirelessly to put all the pieces in place,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in being part of this project which will provide many benefits to Bay Minette, Baldwin County, and the entire region.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor Robert Wills that the grant had been approved. Community Development Block Grant funding is made available to Alabama through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation, and water resource management.
