We were very disappointed in the Republic's front-page article about a proposed job-creating aluminum manufacturing plant in rural La Paz County.
This article contains factual errors, exaggerates the economic and community benefits of the investment, and lends credence to baseless social media conspiracy theories.
The manufacturing plant will bring jobs, economic activity and much-needed local tax revenue to a vacant lot between two small rural towns.
Alliance Metals USA will inject $30 million into the Wenden and Salome communities over several phases, creating construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs.
They're important in La Paz County, two hours west of Phoenix on the Colorado River.
La Paz County needs economic stimulus
La Paz County's employment base has declined by 910 people so far this year. This is a 10% decline even though Arizona and the US economy are growing. Only 75 new jobs have been created countywide this year.
In Salome and Wenden, income levels are low, poverty rates are high, and employment opportunities are scarce. In Wenden, more than one in four residents live in poverty. Additionally, 27.5% of them do not have health insurance.
The poverty rate in Salome is 16% and the median annual income for women is $12,512.
We strongly believe that investments in manufacturing benefit local communities. It would also bring significant new tax revenue to schools, local community colleges and flood control districts. These towns have suffered from large-scale flooding in recent years.
There are no houses near our property.
The article also incorrectly stated that Jacob Gitman, an investor in the project who was not involved in day-to-day operations, was convicted of fraud, which has now been corrected.
Jacob Gitman has been involved in civil litigation related to a variety of businesses. However, he has never been criminally charged or convicted.
The junkyard next to our property is not an “antique car business” as portrayed in the story. There are no houses found near our property. It is a closed cotton gin that had significant air pollution during operation.
Additionally, this article does not cite or cite any environmental experts.
Alliance is an experienced manufacturing company. We implement safety, environmental and operational protocols and high standards to ensure our processes are safe and beneficial to our communities. The Alliance also has the technology to reliably monitor and protect water and air quality.
Additionally, our operations are frequently inspected and necessary environmental and safety permits are obtained.
we are ready to be good neighbors
Alliance Metals is poised to be a responsible neighbor and community asset in parts of Arizona that desperately need investment and jobs.
If an aluminum recycling facility can't be built in an abandoned cotton gin here, far from homes, what will happen to La Paz County's ability to hire job creators in the future?
Goodyear is becoming a manufacturing hub in Arizona, along with Nike and Microsoft. Phoenix has manufacturing plants in the pockets of some of the best neighborhoods. Like them, our facility can and will be a good addition to the community.
Of course, we welcome community dialogue and input. That always makes the project better. We are ready to address concerns and provide the public with the truth about manufacturing facilities and the jobs and investment they bring to our communities.
Loren Barton is Vice President of Alliance Metals USA.please contact him loren@alliancemetalsusa.com.
