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Buyer at hand for Century plant but it won’t make aluminum any more

RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. — Community leaders say the Century Aluminum plant that once employed more than 600 people is on the verge of gaining new ownership and new life as a coal liquefaction facility.

Mark Whitley, executive director of the Jackson County Development Authority, confirmed one interested buyer has neared the conclusion of a deal. But Whitley said he is bound by confidentiality agreements to not reveal the buyer’s identity or plan.

“There is one particular client that we’re focused on that would be very beneficial to our region and to the state of West Virginia,” Whitley said. “We continue to work with that particular company as they go through their due diligence.”

The Ravenswood Century Aluminum plant in Ravenswood closed in 2009.
The Ravenswood Century Aluminum plant in Ravenswood closed in 2009.

Century Aluminum, headquartered in Chicago, and the new investor are going over the agreement, local leaders said.

“I believe we’re probably looking at the first quarter of 2017 before agreements are finalized and transfer of the asset happens,” Whitley said.

Century Aluminum was a major employer for Jackson County and the surrounding area until fluctuating worldwide aluminum prices led to the plant’s closure in 2009. More than 600 workers lost their jobs. The average worker there made $51,000 a year.

Hope and rumors persisted about the plant’s reopening as an aluminum plant until 2015 when its smelter was permanently closed. Century is still feeling the effects of that closure. Its third quarter earnings report, released last week, listed a $26.8 million negative impact related to the closure in Ravenswood.

Now Jackson County residents and officials are feeling hope again. Delegate Steve Westfall, a Republican, says the possibility of a new developer is legitimate.

“I’ve been told it’s a done deal,” Westfall said. “They’ve really struck a deal already with a buyer. They had a meeting about two or three weeks ago, and now just ironing out the details.”

Westfall added, “I feel real good about it. It’s not a pipe dream. He’s for real. It’s not somebody blowing smoke. I’m sure it’s going to happen.”

The main development would be a coal-to-diesel project with some of the property being used for other surrounding industry, Westfall said.

“That’s what I’ve been told, yes — coal to diesel,” Westfall said. “There’s other companies that want the land and need to expand. I think he will give some land, sell some land to help some people expand,” Westfall said.

Coal gasification plants are one hope for cleaner energy sources, but the economics of harnessing such projects has been tricky. Here’s a handy compilation of coal gasification projects under development in the United States, associated with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Jackson County leaders say they are in prime position for new industry because of the area’s relatively flat land, proximity to highway, rail and river, and existing industrial base.

“You have access to rail access to the port and water, 2,000 acres and I would say that 75 percent of it is pretty flat,” Whitley said. “You’re surrounded by tremendous industrial companies. You have an incredible amount of infrastructure available. Anything that a corporation wold need to be successful.”

New industry would help Ravenswood thrive, said Lucy Harbert, a former mayor who now serves on the city’s planning and zoning commission.

“Any business that comes to this end of the county would be great,” Harbert said. “Ravenswood really needs a shot in the arm.”





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