By Paris Rain, FOX23.com News Staff
INOLA, Okla. — Hundreds of residents gathered at Inola High School on Thursday evening for an open house hosted by Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, hoping to learn more about a proposed aluminum smelter plant that has sparked both economic optimism and growing concern.
While the event was intended to answer questions, several attendees described it as disorganized, saying they would have preferred a more structured forum where community concerns and company responses could be addressed collectively.
Earlier in the day, company representatives said the meeting was an opportunity to build trust with the community.
“We just want them to get comfortable with what the project is, what we are trying to do, who we are as a company,” explained Matt Aeoud, the Senior Vice President of Strategy for Oklahoma Primary Aluminum. “We want to listen to their concerns and answer those concerns.”
The proposed facility would be built within the industrial park at the Port of Inola and is expected to produce 750,000 tons of aluminum annually.
Company officials said the project could create about 1,000 permanent jobs and 4,000 construction jobs, making it one of the largest aluminum production sites in the United States.
Aeoud said the location was chosen for its access to key resources.
“The reason why we’re here is because this is going to be a great location for us because we have access to water, access to energy, access to workforce and the central location we can get to customers.”
He added that the project could help reduce the nation’s reliance on imported aluminum.
“The country needs more aluminum. Today we import over 85% of what the country needs and this will be the biggest project ever built in the United States.”
Despite those projections, many residents remain skeptical, particularly about environmental and health impacts.
“I feel that this has been not what we expected,” said Inola resident Beth Richards. “It’s not transparent. I’ve asked numerous people the same questions. I can’t get an answer at all.”
Others raised concerns about potential pollution and property values.
“When they say the best technology, there are a lot of questions,” said resident Chris Roam. “They are asking to release far more pollutants than smelters in Norway and Dubai, so why are they planning to emit so much more here?”
Roam said she wants formal guarantees included in developmental agreements.
“To put guarantees that will guarantee the value of our property, that our property will be safe, that we don’t be having to deal with fluoride in our soil, with our livestock and our crops being damaged.”
Angela Jungbluth, who lives about a mile from the proposed site, said her concerns are personal.
“I feel very apprehensive about the smelter. I’m not convinced it’s going to be the safest thing for Inola and I am not willing to risk the cost of my children’s health for any gain.”
Project leaders pushed back on those concerns, emphasizing safety measures and environmental oversight.
Ziad Fares, a project director for the smelter, said similar facilities operate safely elsewhere.
“I live 10 minutes away from a smelter and I feel safe because I know the technology that’s being used,” said Fares. “All the emissions and environmental impact are well within limits.”
Fares added that the Inola facility would include monitoring systems and independent verification.
“We will have very clear monitoring practices and very clear reporting that will be audited and verified independently.”
Aeoud echoed these assurances, saying modern smelters operate safely near communities.
“These smelters are safe—safe for people, safe for livestock, safe for vegetation. We’re going to have a rigorous monitoring system and be very transparent with the community about those emissions.”
The project is still in the engineering and environmental study phase, which is expected to continue through the end of the year.
Company officials said they hope to break ground by late 2026, with construction lasting about three years and operations potentially beginning around 2029 or 2030.
Fares acknowledged the scale of the project may be unsettling for residents.
“We understand that a project of this scale might be scary. It’s new. It’s a change for the locals. We would urge them to ask us those questions, rely on actual facts and we are here to answer them.”
For now, many in Inola say they are still waiting for answers.
