A leader of an aluminum producer says Kentucky is the largest producer of the metal in the country and it could soon be producing even more.
The comments from Century Aluminum Executive Vice President Jesse Gary come as President Trump is expected to impose a 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminum.
Gary said his company will begin hiring up to 300 new workers for its Hancock County smelter as soon as the tariff order is signed.
“What we can promise is that we’re going to bring back these jobs to western Kentucky and that’s really what our focus is on,” said Gary.
Gary said Century Aluminum will also invest $100 million in the Hawesville plant.
The facility is currently operating at only 40% of its production capacity. Gary said the company will bring the smelter back to full capacity by early next year.
