Here's how Intalco's loss of 700 jobs will ripple through Whatcom County

The announced closure of the Alcoa’s Intalco Works aluminum smelter near Ferndale is expected to have a strong ripple effect in the Whatcom County economy beyond the 700 direct jobs lost.

Alcoa Corporation made the announcement on Wednesday, April 22, that it will close its Intalco Works smelter near Ferndale amid declining market conditions. The curtailment is expected to be complete by the end of July 2020.

“While our employees have worked diligently to improve the facility, the smelter is uncompetitive, and current market conditions have exacerbated the facility’s challenges,” said Alcoa President and CEO Roy Harvey in the news release. “This is difficult because of the impact on our employees, and we will ensure appropriate support as we work to safely curtail the facility.”

Ferndale Mayor Greg Hansen said news of the closure is simply heartbreaking.

“The smelter is part of the lifeblood of our community, and they have been putting food on the tables of Ferndale families for almost three generations. This closure will be a critical blow to our local economy in the midst of a difficult time,” Hansen said in an email. “We are Ferndale, we look after each other especially when things look the most grim. I know that I will do everything in my power to breathe life back into this facility and fight like hell for all of our Ferndale families that find themselves out of work.”

It is unclear whether this will become a permanent closure for the facility, which opened in 1966.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/heres-how-intalcos-loss-of-700-jobs-will-ripple-through-whatcom-county/ar-BB135Lpc