Alcoa restarts aluminum smelters in Bellingham

Alcoa Intalco Works is restarting some idled aluminum smelting pots and has hired 55 more workers, a move that had been announced in January.

The company is buying additional power to help meet demand for aluminum as global economic conditions improve. The capacity had been offline since 2008. The restart adds 40,000 metric tons per year production capacity and 60 jobs, according to a company press release.

"I'm exceptionally proud of our team's hard work and welcome all our new Alcoans," said Barry Hullett, Intalco plant manager, in a press release. "We have brought on board 55 of the 60 planned new hires and have also retained approximately 65 additional temporary employees in support of the restart."