BADIN — Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) announced today that it will open a regional recycling hub at Alcoa’s former aluminum smelting plant in Badin, providing up to 200 jobs.
John Shegerian, chairman and CEO of ERI, announced the plans today before a crowd of 100 community leaders and local officials in Badin.
According to its press release, the company will begin operations in a temporary facility in July before moving into a permanent, 165,000-square-foot building in January 2012. ERI is investing $5 million in the facility, and Alcoa is spending an additional $5 million on building improvements.
ERI already has named a plant manager for the site, the press release said, and it plans to hire about 20 to 30 employees this summer. It will grow its workforce to more than 150 employees by the end of 2012 and eventually plans to hire up to 200 employees as its recycling volume grows.
The company said it will work closely with Stanly Community College and the North Carolina Employment Security Commission to recruit employees and plans to hold a local job fair in the next six to eight weeks.
Badin Mayor James Harrison said ERI’s move is welcome news for the town, according to the press release.
ERI will be the first tenant in the Badin Business Park, located at the site of the former Badin Works plant. Alcoa has been actively recruiting businesses to the site, the press release said, and it first contacted ERI in December 2010 during its search for a Southeast recycling center. ERI considered locations in Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina before selecting the Badin site earlier this month.
The company recycles electronic waste, including laptop computers, cell phones, televisions, printers and other electronics. Its customers include Best Buy, Samsung, the Salvation Army and the U.S. government.