By Paige Orr, Fox23 News
CLAREMORE, Okla. — A multi-billion-dollar project slated for the Port of Inola is being touted as more than just a factory; it is being pitched to the next generation of Oklahoma workers as a cornerstone for a new national industry.
Representatives from Oklahoma Primary Aluminum met with students at Rogers State University on Wednesday to outline the massive scale of a proposed smelting facility that would be the first of its kind built in the United States in more than 45 years. Project leaders say the facility is a strategic move to secure a domestic supply chain in a country that currently imports 85% of the aluminum it needs.
The project is expected to be a massive economic engine for Rogers County, creating 4,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent positions. While entry-level roles on the floor are expected to start at approximately $100,000 annually, the discussion at RSU focused on the diversity of professional careers the plant will require.
For students like Owen Pazzo, a business administration major, the presentation changed his perspective on what a career in manufacturing looks like.
“Previous to this, I thought really the only job opportunities would be in engineering or IT,” Pazzo said. “I want to go to law school. I could be a lawyer here for environmental compliance, or maybe in finance, who knows. But there’s just a lot of opportunity.”
“Anytime you have an organization as big as EGA coming in to northeast Oklahoma, they’re looking for that educated workforce,” Sparling said. “So our students are here, ready, and frankly willing to get out there and do those jobs.”
The facility will utilize ultra-modern technology to produce aluminum for industries ranging from automotive to national defense. Alyssa Allen, a graduate assistant at RSU, said the promise of such a large-scale, energy-efficient industry brings a new sense of prosperity to the region.
While the project is still in the planning and development phases, construction is slated to begin as early as late this year. The facility is currently targeted to open its doors by the end of 2029.
Community members who want to learn more about the project or provide feedback can attend an open house Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Inola High School Fine Arts Center. Project team members will be available to answer questions regarding the facility’s impact on the local economy and environment.
