Federal grant supports water tank for Novelis plant

North Baldwin project will also meet water needs for surrounding community

Construction is in progress on the Novelis plant in northern Baldwin County.

North Baldwin Utilities in Bay Minette has received a $2.5 million federal grant to build a 2-million-gallon water tank and other water infrastructure to support the Novelis aluminum plant now under construction and water needs in the surrounding community.

The Economic Development Administration funding will be matched with $3.9 million in local funds.

“Part of the original commitment to Novelis was providing a 2-million-gallon water tank for their water processes and fire protection, but the community was also in need of more water storage, especially for dry times like we have experienced this summer,” says Jason Padgett, CEO for North Baldwin Utilities.

“The water tank will be placed on property adjacent to the Novelis site that North Baldwin Utilities owns,” Padgett added. “Constructing a water tower that will help our community and a large industrial customer such as Novelis, which is also bringing more jobs to the community, is a win-win.”

At the Novelis groundbreaking. When the new plant opens in 2025, Novelis expects to recycle 90 billion cans a year globally. Photo by Mike Kittrell.

Novelis broke ground last October an aluminum rolling and recycling plant at the former South Alabama Mega Site in northern Baldwin County. The company said it expected to invest $2.5 billion in the plant and hire about 1,000 workers.

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 “Novelis is setting high standards through their operations,” said Lee Lawson, president & CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance. “We are proud to partner with North Baldwin Utilities and the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission to support Novelis and the generational impact their investment will have on Baldwin County’s economy.”

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