As Logan Aluminum continues to expand both in its physical plant and its job force, more qualified employees are needed. A Learn and Earn program through Western Kentucky University this summer will help train employees and make college more affordable for students who want to work for the aluminum plant.
Gov. Matt Bevin announced Thursday that Tri-Arrow Aluminum, which is an owner of Logan Aluminum, will invest $125 million in the latest expansion of the plant at Epley Station. Another 60 jobs are expected to be added to the huge work force at the plant, which came into existence early in the 1980s and now is the major supplier of aluminum can stock.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved tax incentives Thursday totaling $7 million to facilitate the project.
“This investment in Logan Aluminum will have a strong positive impact on Western Kentucky's economy for many years to come,” Bevin said in a statement. “Kentucky’s manufacturing industry is expanding, and Tri-Arrows Aluminum, Logan Aluminum and their partner organizations are on the forefront of industry change and growing customer demand. This new cold rolling mill will help Logan Aluminum and its partners supply manufacturers – both within Kentucky and beyond – with the high-quality materials they need. We are confident that this investment will be transformative for the region, and thank the companies involved for their decision to invest in the Bluegrass State.”
The new mill, which will join an existing cold rolling operation at Logan Aluminum, will add production capacity for both beverage can stock and thicker, higher-alloy rolled sheet for use in automotive body and structural panels.
The new mill will add production capacity and comes in response to rising customer demand in both industries. Company leaders anticipate construction will finish by early 2019, with production of the first coils beginning that spring. The announcement is a second phase of an ongoing expansion project at Logan Aluminum. Phase one, announced in fall 2015, included 190 new jobs and a $250 million investment in Logan Aluminum's recycling casting facility.
See the story about the beginning of that expansion on The LoJo at http://theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news623&Search=Logan%20Aluminum
The Learn and Earn program at Logan Aluminum will involve students have a full-time entry level job at $13 per hour this summer.
According to a promotion on Facebook about the program: “It's not too late to apply! Go to www.wku.edu/learnandearnand click "Apply Now." While on site, sign up for an Orientation under "Student Information" if you can attend orientation on Tuesday, May 30, then you'll be eligible to interview with Logan Aluminum that same day. This entire process online will take about 15 minutes but could make a HUGE impact on your future!”