Construction of Alcoa Wenatchee Works began in May, 1951. The smelting plant, where alumina, or aluminum ore, is reduced to metal, was constructed as a direct result of a request from the Office of Defense Mobilization to increase the domestic production of aluminum in a defense oriented economy.
Responding to this government demand, Alcoa began developing the Wenatchee site and on June 26, 1952, produced the first metal. The Wenatchee Works was the first smelter to be built In the Pacific Northwest in the post World War 11 period and the first plant of this type built with private capital in the area since before the war.
Wenatchee Works is located eleven miles north of the city of Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington, and one and one half miles above Rock Island Dam, the first dam built on the Columbia River. The entire site covers more than 2,700 acres, excluding some 1,700 acres of orchard land donated to Washington State University In 1972. The plant itself covers 100 acres adjacent to the Columbia River.
The original production of primary aluminum at Wenatchee was 85,000 tons per year. Two major expansions In the 1960s expanded the name plate total to more than 210,000 tons per year. The original number of employees in 1952 was around 500.
Local Economic Impact
Based on 2 line Operation (2006):
Local Spending - purchased goods & services, including contractors -$17,878,278
Salaries & wages - $36,389,496
Indirect Spending (assumes 3.4x multiplier effect for employee salaries) - $123,724,286
Local taxes, including property and sales & use taxes - $1,250,811
Direct local contributions (Corporate gifts) - $115,000
Total = $180 million per year
Community Partners
- In 2006, we were able to give $50,000 back to the area through Alcoa Foundation grants and plant donations:
- Upgrade of the YMCA
- Wenatchee Valley College
- Performing Arts Center
- RSVP for kids safety
- Entiat tree planting
- Alcoa sponsored a grant for a bio-diesel training program that was submitted for an 'Alcoa Impact Award'.
- We received state wide honors from the Associations of Washington Business for our environmental excellence.
- We also hosted a multi-agency Emergency Response Exercise
- Thus far in 2007, we have partnered with the community on the following:
- Disaster Relief to City of Wenatchee $25,000
- Erase The Debt. Performing Arts Center $4,000
- Committed up to $30,000 for new city entrance signs
- Special Olympics $5,000
Since 2002, Wenatchee Alcoa employees have donated > 120,000 hours of service
Alcoa currently sustains 3 major community projects:
Solar Project
Alcoa purchased and employees installed $450,000 worth of solar panels for local schools and agencies
In 2006, revenues from these panels in partnership with CPUD SNAP program generated $20,000 for Chelan schools & non profit agencies.
Support our Troops
To date, volunteer committee has raised $30,000 and sent 866 packages to local service members overseas.
Alcoa's Ridge to River Relay
Premiere regional multi-sport race, community signature event and local fundraiser - Alcoa naming Sponsor through 2011
Total Employees: Over 400
Union: Wenatchee Aluminum Trades Council
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Alcoa Wenatchee Works
Rocky Reach Dam
Wenatchee volunteers in action
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