Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel today applauded Alcoa’s plans to invest more than $110 million at its Cleveland Works location, including refurbishing a 50,000-ton forging press vital to the production of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter.

 

“Ohio’s partnership with Alcoa is helping to keep good jobs in Cleveland and position Ohio as a strong competitor in the global aerospace industry,” Strickland said. “This investment will make the Cleveland Works facility a premier producer of aerospace and industrial components. I am grateful for the support from local leaders, including close collaboration from the United Auto Workers Local 1050, that has helped renew Alcoa’s commitment to Northeast Ohio.”

 

The State of Ohio has awarded Alcoa business incentives that could total more than $20 million, including a job retention tax credit, a loan and grant assistance.

 

“We are thrilled that Alcoa has committed to investing in Northeast Ohio,” said Lieutenant Governor Fisher. “The successful restoration of Alcoa’s 50,000-ton press is critical to the lasting stability of this plant and the security of the jobs in our community. This venture will once again allow Alcoa to contribute to and underscore our state’s manufacturing and aerospace strengths.”

 

“Ohio’s history of innovation continues to place our state at the forefront of the aerospace industry,” Director Patt-McDaniel said. “Targeting investments that support our state’s unique capabilities, such as those found at Alcoa Cleveland Works, creates market-based demand for Ohio’s aerospace and defense industries.”

 

Alcoa’s press refurbishments will be completed by the end of 2011 and will involve the complete disassembly and renovation of the 50,000-ton press, a 92-foot structure, which began production in 1955. In August of 2008, cracks were discovered in the press. Alcoa idled the press to assess the situation and, after consulting with world experts, elected to pursue a complete refurbishment.

 

Alcoa Cleveland Works is the home of two large forging presses – the 50,000-ton press under renovation and a 35,000-ton press – with production capabilities including large forgings for aerospace applications, such as the aluminum bulkheads for the Joint Strike Fighter.

 

To learn more about Ohio’s aerospace industry, please visit www.OhioMeansBusiness.com.

 

About Alcoa:

Alcoa is a world leader in the production and management of a variety of aluminum products, with an active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.