Inslee statement on closing of Intalco smelter in Ferndale

— from Governor Jay Inslee’s Office —

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement [yesterday] in response to the news that Ferndale Intalco Works smelter will close by the end of July.

“We have a long-standing commitment to protecting manufacturing jobs, and I was sorry to hear about Intalco’s curtailment plans.

“Washington state has an established infrastructure that allows companies like Intalco to be as competitive as possible, and in 2016 we worked with Intalco executives and federal officials to secure a deal that kept the company operational until now. That deal included some of the lowest energy prices in the nation, a tax preference extension which I signed into law worth $2 million per year and $3 million for worker training and skill enhancement.

“The Washington State Employment Security Department, in collaboration with the local Workforce Development Council and labor partners, is working to respond to workers impacted by the closure. We also stand ready to help Intalco fully ramp back up, should they choose to when global markets improve.”