'We're on the radar': Judges-executive react to news of potential aluminum smelter in NEKY

Mar. 26—All five judges-executive from FIVCO — Boyd, Greenup, Carter, Elliott and Lawrence counties — gladly journeyed to the commonwealth's capital for a much-anticipated announcement by Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday morning.

From Frankfort, Beshear informed elected officials and media members of five planned economic development projects made possible by nearly $1 billion in federal funds.

Of particular interest to Judges-Executive Bobby Hall (Greenup), Eric Chaney (Boyd), Myron Lewis (Elliott), Brandon Burton (Carter) and Phillip Carter (Lawrence) is the announcement pertaining to Century Aluminum Company, which has potential plans of building the first new U.S. primary aluminum smelter in 45 years with a targeted northeastern Kentucky location.

The green aluminum smelter, according to the governor's office, may bring up to 5,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent union jobs to this corner of the commonwealth.

Century, led by CEO Jesse Gary, pinpointed northeastern Kentucky as its preferred location. The smelter "could be the largest investment on record in eastern Kentucky," according to the governor, and is supported by up to $500 million from the Department of Energy's Industrial Demonstrations Program.

Beshear said a "myriad of steps" need to be resolved as he made the announcement in a cautious yet optimistic manner.

Gary didn't indicate it was a 100% guarantee, but he did say northeastern Kentucky is at the "top of our list for potential sites, and while we are continue to evaluate multiple locations, this announcement is another step in our continued long-standing relationship with the state, and we look forward to the opportunity to help be a part of growing commerce in eastern Kentucky."

"It's not a done deal," said Chaney, Boyd County's judge-executive since 2019. "There's still some work that has to be done, but I'm very optimistic. I applaud (Beshear's) efforts in this. This could be monumental and game-changing."

Chaney joined Beshear, Gary and others in choosing safe words to describe future possibilities.

After all, this sort of announcement — see Braidy Industries (later called Unity Aluminum) as the example — has been made before. As a result, northeastern Kentucky and everybody involved have been burned before, as Braidy/Unity and all of its promises never reached fruition.

"Look at Braidy and look at what happened," Chaney said. "We have to take these steps slow and methodical. But, hey, we've got an opportunity."

Hall agreed with Chaney. Still, he couldn't help but smile.

"With the U.S. DOE and the governor's office sending mega millions of dollars to northeastern Kentucky, it gives us hope," Hall said. "Our constituents, our people, our region, deserve opportunity. We must continue doing our due diligence working together to make things happen in northeastern Kentucky.

"All five judges-executive were at the press conference. That's probably the first time that's happened. That's what you're seeing with us."

"We all beat to the same drum," Chaney added. "If there's a group of guys that can make it happen, it's these five judges. The governor's office has it under control right now. We can help (Beshear) get that done. Everybody's got everybody's back."

Hall said the emphasis is on regionalization.

"The more we can regionalize, the more opportunities we have for funding," Hall said. "That's with water, sewer, everything. We can't be separate. We've got to work together. It's great to see judges-executive and mayors in the same room from both parties."

Hall, who has been in office since January 2023, said Greenup County's fiscal court and all county departments have worked in cohesion to get infrastructure in place. He also mentioned the Greenup County Ambulance Authority, which launched in January 2024.

"We're on the radar," he said. "People are not coming to this region without Fire, Police, Ambulance and infrastructure."

Burton, who became Carter County's judge-executive in January 2023, recounted the economic blows this area has endured over the last couple of decades.

"From the loss of jobs from AK Steel, the Coke plant ... having grown up here and being a young person, we had hope that there were jobs out there, and these jobs have gone away," Burton said. "Our people in the region deserve opportunities. We're going to continue doing work that we have to do to have a very happy northeastern Kentucky."

If Century ultimately lands in northeastern Kentucky, Carter — of Lawrence County — said "every county in this region will reap the benefits."

"The people of this region have been hoping for an announcement of this magnitude for years, and now with Gov. Beshear's hard work and the DOE granting $500 million to this project, it appears to be coming to fruition," Carter added. "I thank Gov. Beshear for all he is doing for our region and also Senior Adviser to the Governor, Rocky Adkins, for always having our back."

Lewis, Elliott County's judge-executive, did not respond to the newspaper as of press time.

(606) 326-2664 — asnyder@dailyindependent.com